Guinea pig heaven...

is where Wesley prayed that Clay's Guinea pig, Cookie, would find rest. Today we had to have Cookie euthanized due to a large tumor. He hasn't been eating or drinking for several days so we knew he was really sick. Chuck, Clay and Wesley took him to the vet today to get the final word. Clay was an absolute mess! Cookie was his 8th birthday present a little less than eleven months ago. Chuck had to tell him that the doctor could put Cookie to sleep or we could take him home to die. Clay's innocent question was "when will he wake up?" When he learned the cold hard facts about death, he lost it, and so did the vet tech (Chuck held it together until he got home.)

The doctor said we could leave him there and tell the boys that they would try to help him get better, but that they would euthanize him and dispose of him. We felt we would be lying to our boys to handle it like that. It was better for them to know the truth so we could deal with it with prayer and loving on them.

Of course there was a funeral in our backyard this afternoon. Chuck dug a hole, Zack said a prayer and then he was buried. Clay fell into Chuck and I, while Luke stood nearby knowing he was sad, but not knowing how to handle his emotions. Zack and Wesley played it cool. Chuck and I cried because it's so hard to see our boy's hearts broken.

As adults, we know this is the first of many heartbreaks due to death. We also know this is a lesson they need to learn, but we ache because this heartbreak is minor compared to those coming in the future. The death of an animal is God's way of preparing us for the heartbreaks we believe we may not recover from. Chuck and I knew God was giving us an opportunity to teach our children how to deal with death as Christians. We didn't run out and replace the animal or buy ice cream hoping that one of those things would take the heartbreak away. We simply prayed!

On the way home from church tonight I had to pull over for Clay. He became so upset that he couldn't catch his breath. Wesley said a prayer to calm him down. Clay held my hand very tight the rest of the way home.

I just tucked Luke in, who was finally letting go with tears. His little lower lip quivering and tears rolling down his sweet face, broke my heart. Then I went into Wesley's room, and he was sobbing too. What is it about the dark that makes everything seem so sad? More prayers, and hugs, and kisses goodnight...

Now I'm sure I will offend many of you with my recap of today's events. So for those who are animal lovers you might want to stop reading HERE!!!!

The recap is...

We had a pet rodent die today. One son prayed for it to be happy in heaven, this would be rodent heaven! I'm hoping this isn't the same said heaven the Lord speaks of in the Bible, the one I'm intending to reside. I'm finding it difficult to be broken hearted over the sweet little rodent. In actuality it was a huge relief. My tears were PURELY for my son's heartbreak. Although the RODENT was sweet, and he did greet me every morning with a squeak as I gave him a treat, I won't miss taking care of him. Seriously, as moms, we all know who ultimately takes care of the animals once they are in the home, dear old mom! Even if mom doesn't do everything for the animal, she reminds others to do for the animal. One rodent being gone will lighten my load a tad. And about that Cosby Show funeral (I was in black), I was thinking "I'm so hoping my neighbors aren't taping us for YouTube." Really, he was a rodent! You know, like Mickey and Minnie (for which an entire Kingdom is named and people go to worship them), and rats, and Cappibaras, and the like...

All rodent joking aside. I feel good about the day. Why? Noooo, not because he's gone. I feel we honored God through the lesson of death. What can be better than honoring God? (Even through the death of a rodent!)