Comments on: Kindness of Strangers

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:08:12 +0000

Lanier,

You and I are very different in all manner of ways: theologically, in our views about the roles of women and man, and in our daily lives, Nonetheless, I enjoy reading your blog and was particularly moved by your description of grieving the deaths of your animals. Fortunately, at the church of which I am a member, we regularly celebrate and commemorate the animals in our lives, whether long beloved dogs and cats, new ferrets or guinea pigs, and even a hermit crab which was among the animals blessed on the Feast of St. Francis. Since we have a number of people in the congregation without children, animals are especially dear to many of us, and their comings and goings are marked with shared grief, reverence and thanksgiving. Bless you as remember those precious members of your family. Best, Elaine

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:18:24 +0000

precious Lanier – I’ve just now had a chance to pop onto Griffin’s computer and the first thing
I wanted to do was check in – I know you know how much I love you and have been grieving
right along with you. But, your words on grieving are ever so true and profound. Our ‘pets’ do
become part of our family and we would never give up the loving to be spared from the grieving.
It just shows how greatly we’ve been able to love!

By the way, just as a side note to give you a smile, guess whose LONE picture sits by Griffin’s bedside? No… not her mom’s or dad’s – but YOURS ! : ) I think it’s priceless. Love you! many, many, hugs…..

By: Elizabeth in Alaska

Elizabeth in Alaska — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:31:51 +0000

Lanier, I meant to comment on your other post, but life distracted me. I just wanted to say that I, too, have grieved for an animal and I truly feel your pain. I am so sorry, my friend.

By: Sheena Walsh

Sheena Walsh — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:27:50 +0000

Dear Lanier, I wanted to post my sympathy to you a couple of days ago but thought it would be superfluous, as many other people have beautifully expressed theirs. Your post today suggested that perhaps it would still be welcome. There is a line in one of Antonia Forest’s book – “It was always misery past bearing when animals died”, “Peter’s Room”, which your exquisitely-expressed post recalled to me. The character was comforted by recalling Emily Bronte’s grief when her cat died. My father’s cat has recently died, and for a stoic man of nearly seventy who is a Warden of his church, he was absolutely devastated, and my mother and I for him. The measure of your love and appreciation is the measure of your grief. It is a great blessing (and the result of meekness and resilience) to be so capable of loving. When the light flickers out in a loving living being, the world loses, but they are home and jumping all over the gardens and meadows of heaven. (hope this isn’t too long and jumbled).

By: Florence

Florence — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:52:36 +0000

“Precious scars”–Yes, that’s what love entails.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:49:45 +0000

Lanier, prayers for you and Philip during this incredibly sad time. May the comfort of our Lord be with you both. In His Peace.

By: Rebekah Dickinson

Rebekah Dickinson — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:38:15 +0000

Hello dearest friend,
I was so sorry to hear about Pansy and Juno- I hope you are bearing up and you are hearing comfort from God and from others and myself.

I failed my exam–I found out this week so rather disappointed but I will have to simply study again and re-sit in October. Not the end of the world.
lots of love
Rebekah