Breathe

As I walked out to my car this morning to head to work, the birds were welcoming me to the day.  I try to make a conscious effort to listen to them each morning, but this morning seemed extra special.  Even though I don’t always see them, they are there, singing cheerfully.

The college where I work is surrounded by woods, and you never know what you are going to see and hear when you are walking around the grounds.  Today’s extra special guests were a Mama and Baby fox that were checking out the grounds.  I also got to see what my friend and I dubbed a “Humbee,” which looked like a miniature hummingbird and bee combined into the most fascinating creature I’ve ever seen.

Note to self:  More research is needed.

And the bees!  Oh my, it was so wonderful to watch them go from blossom to blossom and grab the nectar.  There were so many of them.  One of the best stress relievers ever.

The clincher?  Calie and I had an appointment today with her vet to determine if they would be able to take care of here while Rick & I attended the wedding of our oldest daughter, Christine.  Being almost 19 years old, I had never “boarded” her before, so this was a scary option for me, and I waited until a month before the event to approach the subject.

Going online to see what is available in our area provided limited options.  The only viable one was the veterinary clinic that I have used for our 4-legged members of the household.  Luckily, we were able to see the same vet that diagnosed our baby girl with kidney failure 2 years ago.  We had a very good discussion, and he was very honest which is always a clincher with me.  But what I really like about this doctor is his love and caring of his patients.  Knowing Calie’s condition and the stress that boarding her would have, it was mutually decided that using the service that they provide would not work for us.

We talked about her health, what could possibly happen if she stayed there (which wasn’t good), and other options that I should look at (and have).  And he stayed there and talked to me about her disease and what to expect.  I was so grateful for his compassion, that I wanted to hug the man when we left.

And when we walked out the door, there was a certain calm that overcame me.  And I could feel it in Calie as well.  I can’t explain it, but there seemed to be a heavy burden that was suddenly taken away.  The option that I dreaded having to do was gone; not by my doing, but by the honesty and compassion of a neutral party.

So I have a few more weeks to find an alternative solution for the couple days that we will be gone, and I’m certain that the perfect solution with present itself.

I’m also feeling pretty confident that I will be able to handle other stressful situations in my life a little better, because I feel a little lighter tonight with that one unknown worry being taken away.