Crossing Over...

I have discovered that the death of a pet is often called "crossing over."  I am not sure what this would refer to as they don't really cross over anywhere.  Any critical thinking human being would debate that an animal has some sort of soul.  But they were not created in the image and likeness of God, nor do they have the ability to reason.  They simply don't think the way we do, nor do they laugh out loud. They operate off of instinct only.  So, it's not likely they are crossing over to a valley of Pet Heaven as a reward for loving their Creator. 

Nonetheless, the death  of a pet is one of the most painful experiences one can have. 

Tonight my cat is one step closer to crossing over.  The range of emotions I feel is uncanny.  I ask myself, "Did I make the  right decision to let him die naturally?  Should I have put him down sooner when he wasn't so out of it?  Why did I wait till Labor Day Weekend, when the open vet centers are clearly out for profit only?" 

We have been given dominion over our animal kingdom.  It is a gift we must hold carefully.  It allows us to mirror the compassionate nature of God.  But the fact remains that an animal, while they rely on you for care and feeding, and yes, love, is still an animal.  Emotions...  confusion... It is difficult to understand this responsibility and gift, given that an animal does not have a soul.

To know the compassionate nature of God is to be a better caregiver to those creatures and human beings we love.  But to truly know the mindset of God is impossible, since we are a mirrored image only, and we are not God.  And so, in my emotional state, as I try desperately to do the right thing, especially the right thing by God,  I can only turn to Him for assistance.  I give him my sorrow, my mistakes, my weakness and my lack of wisdom in the final hours of my cat's life. 

This may all sound sappy and unattractive to someone who does not share a love for animals.  Plenty of people don't.  But for me and millions of others, the death of something that has given you great joy and companionship, is difficult.  Plain and simple. 

This is for Simon:  my beautiful black and white cat who I will miss. I will miss his snow white fur directly under his chin, and the loving kindness and joy he gave to anyone who would pet him.  Not a pushy cat, just a lovely cat, named after St. Peter, rock of our Holy Church. 

I only hope that the animal kingdom, one of God's creative masterpieces, will be available to us in Heaven.  I would like to be the baby who lays his hand once again, not upon the adder, but upon Simon, my sweet, 13-year-old black and white cat. 

Exercising Our Rights: Making a Difference

If you’ve ever wondered what the Pro Life movement looks like at the annual March for Life and Rally in D.C., it is alive and well! Last month, my daughter and I, and other homeschool community members all had the extreme privilege to march on the Nation’s Capitol, in defense of the millions of lives of unborn babies.

There is much hope and joy to be had in this society. No matter what the internet tells you, no matter what the media says or does not say, no matter how much we see on television, in the stands, at the checkout counters, in our emails, from our grassroots organizations, God is in charge and He has either moved or held onto the hearts of many.

For myself, I often ponder the state of our union, dismayed and sometimes feeling beaten, unable to directly change the outcome of many babies’ deaths. Yet, while in D.C., I was astounded at the physical evidence of goodness all around us, of the hundreds of thousands of people who took time and money to stand up for life.

We toured the Mall on Wednesday, and photographed the area where the Rally setup was taking place. The Mall was beautiful, but empty. It was a workday in D.C. and the crowds had not yet arrived. My daugher kept asking, “Where is everybody?” By early Thursday afternoon, part of her question was answered, as we found ourselves in the 8th row at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Basilica), for the Vigil Mass. The Basilica was still empty. By 5:30, not only were the pews around us filled, but so were the aisles, with approx. 20,000 people. Soon the Mass began, and we were not quite prepared for the 45 minute procession of 800 concelebrants, seminarians and servers. Awestruck, I had never seen so many cardinals in all my life. But when the 400 seminarians passed before us and headed to the altar of Our Lord, I was deeply moved to a greater faith in our earthly Church and its future. It was doubly exciting to see at least two that we knew, a former home school grad and other young seminarian with whom I had worked in Vacation Bible School.

In the midst of the crowds awaiting the Mass with State of Virginia and Arizona friends, we managed to visit with all we knew who were there, certainly not expecting to run into anyone.

Friday morning arrived, and we were exhausted, but pumped up to march. We were able to move close to the rally stage, but had the foresight to leave early and claim our spot on the corner of 7th and Madison, very close to the start of the March.

Finally it began, and literally hundreds of thousands of people began to walk toward Capitol Hill. We knew that we were perhaps some of the farthest travelers, as many stopped to admire our friend and my daughter's Teens for Life banner, all the way from Arizona. Just about every Newman Guide university was represented, but one of the most touching groups to be seen was Notre Dame University.

It seemed as if for every 20 people that passed by, so would a priest. Many were there, privately marching. We passed by sisters and nuns, a group of Polish seminarians from Michigan, and Slovakian seminarians, as well. Our heads were spinning trying to figure out all the different orders and charisms. Even more moving was that we all walked side by side with Jewish rabbis, Eastern and Greek Orthodox priests, and fellow Protestant Christians.

We never made it to the steps of the Supreme Court. The area surrounding it simply could not accommodate 300,000+ marchers to hear the testimonials of the post-abortive women. But, we had done our part. We had marched, prayed, engaged, and made friends. We had exercised our rights as American citizens.

As I sat down to finish writing this, I was struck by a photo that had just been emailed of my daugher and me, standing below some very famous words at the Lincoln Monument…

“…That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ~ that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom ~ and that the government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

This quote, of course, ends Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, speaking of the great battle that had taken place for the preservation of our country’s values during the Civil War. But it was no coincidence that this unplanned photo turned out so perfectly positioned. For these words speak timelessly today. And with God, there are no coincidences! So, beside the recommendation to make it a goal to attend next year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C., please - keep praying... because God is definitely listening!