Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, was a day of great joy and of deep sorrow for me. Talk about polar opposites, wow! To start the day off, our 3rd granddaughter, Carlee Jo was born. I got to see her when she was about an hour old. Her Mom, Laura Jo, had a c-section, so only the Dad (Jason) was allowed in the OR with her. What a joy it was to see (and later get to hold) that brand new, beautiful baby girl. Both Mom and baby are doing very well.
I left to go home after spending most of the morning and early part of the afternoon with family and friends that were gathered because of Miss Carlee's arrival and do something that was extremely difficult for me, but necessary.
I had to take my beloved cat "Smokey", who was about 15+ years old, to the veterinarian to be put to sleep. We had him since he was a kitten and he had always been in great health until a few weeks ago. He went through a slump and I thought was coming out of it, but I'm now convinced he only got better for a little while to help me feel better and to prepare myself for what was to come.
I realized the day before I took him that he was suffering and that is absolutely not what I wanted for my dear friend of so many years, so I did what was best for him.
I know he is in a much better place, running and playing with our other pets, Rambo (d-o-g), Michael (cat) and Sara (d-o-g) and having the time of his life, completely whole and happy and that's what's most important.
As the cycle of life goes, birth and death, I experienced it all in one day and what a day it was.