Dad asked Mom the other day if she’d bought me a stocking to hang in the house this Christmas.
“I already did,” Mom Peep replied.
“Yeah? When?”
“Last year. It has his name on it and everything,” Mom said.
I think Dad forgot I was here last Christmas. Maybe because December last year was a really weird one.
First, I was trying to adjust to my life here in this house with my new peeps and the big dog. Mom and Dad got me right after they lost their cat Red. He was a love bug and I was a terror, spinning and snapping at my tail.
Second, Mom lost her own Mom five days before Christmas, which sent her into a tailspin (no pun intended).
They got through it all and I did too. See? I’m better now. They even call me a GOOD DOG. Can you imagine? Me, a good dog? But it’s true. With patience, and time, and understanding, and a whole lot of love, I’ve turned out okay.
Oh, I still have a few spin cycles, and Mom Peep has her days of missing her mom and all the other furbabies they’ve had over the years, but we’re both doing good.
How about you? Are you missing someone special this holiday season? Mom says it’s okay to be sad and to miss them and to make new memories to layer on top of older ones that bring tears. And that it’s still okay to cry. With all the happy songs and the merry this and merry that, there are still moments of sadness in our lives…and that is perfectly all right.
So Merry Christmas season to all of you, and may your moments of sadness be short and your happiness be long.
Wiggles & woofs,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear, This is Bailey, Mom’s new furkid. I love my new home. These peeps are SO very kind and loving to me. I have three bones to chew on and my own bed and pillow and everything!
Remember that I came to live here about a month ago when Mom had to send Honey over the Rainbow Bridge? She still misses Honey so much, and she tells me about her own mom who went over her own Rainbow Bridge over a year ago. She still misses her too, especially during the holidays, but she also tells me that I’ve brightened her day more than I can imagine. Skippy is here yet too, so the two of us give her all kinds of attention through the day when she needs it. Mom thinks Jesus sent me here on a special mission. Charlie, I think you also were sent by our great God to help these peeps get through life.
Have a wonderful Christmas season. Keep in touch.
Bailey (as in George in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – and it sure is!)
Bailey,
It IS a wonderful life! Got no complaints here! You either, and that’s good.
Your Mom misses Honey a lot, I know, and her own Mom too. Just like my Mom misses Rex and her Mom. I’m giving her lots of love, like you.
I think we are on a special mission. A love mission. Let’s do our part to love up our Peeps, right Bailey?
Wiggles & Woofs,
Charlie Bear
Thanks, Charlie Bear, for your sweet words of encouragement and those of your Mom Peep. It’s been a hard year for many of us..
Love, Jean
Jean,
It’s hard, really hard, to lose our loved ones. Mom Peep still has a tough time over Rex and her Mom. She told me you lost your Mom too. I’m so sorry. Maybe they’re up in heaven together playing bridge or canasta or something. (I’m not really sure what those are, but I heard they’re fun card games.)
Mom wishes you a very blessed Christmas. And from me, lots of wiggles & woofs,
Charlie Bear
You are one wise little guy, Charlie Bear. Guess what? We’re having two big dogs spend Christmas Eve with us!! I can’t wait. Maybe we’ll all three get stockings.
Good idea from Mom about building new memories over the old ones.
Clyde–
Clyde,
You’re going to have a sleepover on Christmas Eve? Can I come? I’ll bring my own little stocking to hang by the tree!
I’ll bet your Mom will have a blast putting up three giant stockings for you guys. I remember that you are a BIG BOY. I hope you get BIG bones!
Wiggles & wooofs,
Charlie Bear
Dear Charlie Bear,
I’m glad you understand when your Mom peep gets sad about not having everyone she loves around for the holidays. I understand it, too. My Mom lost her husband last year and there are times when she really gets sad, also. The old cat, Piper, was “Dad’s cat” so I know she misses him, as well. When Mom gets teary eyed, Piper will come to her and paw her leg until Mom picks her up and then Mom and Piper cuddle and miss him together. It’s a memory they share that the younger cats and I don’t have, but we are patient and know that eventually Mom and Piper will be okay again. Mom says she misses him, but she knows she will see him again and she is happy about that. She is also happy to have a healthy son and four furbabies (me and the cats) to love and take care of. We do our best to keep her happy and active and we really do try to be good!!! I can’t wait to see what is in my stocking this year. I hope it’s a bone! What are you wishing for Charlie Bear?
Your pal,
Jake
Jake,
I’m so sorry you lost your Dad Peep last year. Your Mom must have a hard time when she remembers him. You too, but also Piper immensely.
I’m hoping for some of those little rawhide chewies in the shape of a bow. They have a little meaty middle. I’m not sure what it is, but I like it.
I hope you get your bone from Santa Fur-Claus!
Woofs & Wiggles to you,
Charlie Bear