Loss

2015 has been a year to remember so far. We started the year by losing our beloved dog of 12 years, Zoey. Really we were so blessed to have her for 12 years, her breed is only supposed to live 8 to 10 years, but still that did not make the loss hurt any less.

Oh yes, then the weather, what in the world was I doing in my garden in February and March? Don't really know, but it was wonderful! But then I worried about the grass and water for the cows for the summer.....and then the rain came. It rained and rained and the grass grew and grew. I have never seen anything like the grass on the range in May and June. It was well past your waist in some spots, there was even grass over my dad's head at Miner Creek and water, there has been water all summer. Cooler temperatures, what a blessing, I don't really care for temperatures over about 70 or 75 anyways!

Should I mention the high cattle market and the low hay prices? This is a double edged sword in my world, because I work with a lot of area farmers, they struggled with all the rain and lower temperatures. In agriculture one crop has to suffer for another to do well, that is the cycle and the cold, hard reality.

Our niece, has had a turbulent summer. I often wonder why things happen and what lessons are to be learned. The turbulence from her life and spilled over in to everyone that love's her life as well, supporting and standing strong for her to keep her spirits high.

And then our sudden loss of Bill. There are no words to describe the confusion felt by his passing. I find myself consoling my son, but how hard it is to explain something that you don't even begin to understand yourself.

And now we have welcomed our new puppy, Mesa. An eight week old bull mastiff! She is exhausting and kind of like having a newborn around except with no diaper! She is so much fun and the kids adore her. She was meant to come in to our lives as a ray of sunshine and happiness.

There's a song that says, "the world didn't stop for my broken heart," never have those words made so much sense as they do now at this point in 2015. I look forward to the last 5 months of 2015, maybe with a little hesitation. There is so much to be thankful for, we just can't dwell on those things that we aren't thankful for that have made us the maddest, saddest and unhappiest, life does go on. I have a quote in my kitchen my mom gave me a few years back:

"Happiness is a Choice."

 

I choose to be happy. I choose to love life and be thankful for all those around me. I choose to hold my family close. I choose to work hard but live my life. I choose to be happy.