Home

I was going to write a blog post on my birthday. And entitle it "26." And talk about all the exciting things that will be happening in my life over the next year; new apartment, new job, new husband, etc.

But then the events of today really shifted my mind to other things. Our family dog, Bailey, passed away this morning. He would've been 11 years old next month. After hearing the sad news, I spent some of the afternoon cleaning up my old apartment, where I lived for 2 years, and packing the last of my belongings in the car. I started to think about the concept of "home." These two events probably don't seem to be related just yet, but bear with me.

Many of us have lived in multiple houses, starting out living with our parents, then maybe living in several temporary dorms or apartments throughout college, and finally making it out on our own. To me, home has always seemed like a relative term, depending on where I am living at the time. But there is no doubt that there's a little bit of pain involved with saying goodbye to a place you've called "home," whether you lived there for a couple months, a couple years, or a lifetime. For the last couple of years, I have prided myself on my bravery in moving away from home and living in other places. It was difficult at first; moving away to college for the first time, studying abroad in Spain; but after the first couple times it has gotten easier. I moved to Minneapolis right after graduating college, and lived in 2 different apartments within the same year. I also picked up, left my job and moved to Brazil for a couple months this past summer. I guess you could say I've grown into the type of person who prefers to look forward and make plans and be excited about the future more than I like to look back and reflect on what I'm leaving behind.

Needless to say, I've been very excited about moving into my new apartment and have spent the last couple weeks packing, preparing and making mental maps of where I want my furniture to go in the new place. I was feeling very surprised at the fact that I wasn't feeling sad about leaving the old apartment, despite the great memories I have from my 2 years living there and starting a new life with Franchesco there after our return from Brazil.

I don't know if it was just because I was feeling sad about Bailey this morning, but as I went to clean out the old apartment I started feeling very sad and emotional about leaving my old home behind. Then it hit me...none of us are really ever at home on this earth. We are not living the life the God intended for us to live. We should be spending every moment in this life preparing ourselves to go home with God when it's all over. I know that not everyone will share my beliefs on this matter, but I truly do believe that there is something better waiting for us, and that animals are no exception.

Although seemingly wonderful at times, this is not the way that life was meant to be. So if you're sad...no wonder. Hang in there! If you're happy...just wait, it will only get better!

"In this world you will have trouble. But in me you will have peace." - John 16:33

"Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." - John 16:22

"I am still confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the Lord
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:13-14



Dear Bailey,
I hope your new home is better than the last!

Love,
Jacqueline