Gratitude in the Midst of Sorrow

If you pulled up this blog post hoping for ADHD tips, I am sorry to report I have none this week. So, if you were only hoping to gain some ADHD wisdom, you may stop reading at this point and wait for next week. If, however, you are willing to read on, I will share something personal going on in my life.

On Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022, I brought my dog, Charlie, to the vet. Charlie was not due for a checkup until May, but Charlie was struggling. I could rattle off a long list of what he was dealing with, but to save time, I will just say that he was struggling. After the vet examined him, it was determined that it was time to say goodbye. Reset ADHD had to say goodbye to its “Senior Nap Specialist,” and I had to say goodbye to my best friend.

Charlie and I had been in each other’s lives for 17+ years. Together, we had been through a lot. Health scares, relationship woes, and general loneliness were all areas where I leaned on his support. He always knew when to comfort me. For example, when my grandmother died in 2013, I came home and collapsed on the couch. Charlie, who always ran to greet me when he was young, did not do his usual happy dance at my return. He simply walked up to me and comforted me. He knew something was wrong, and he knew I needed him. We also shared a lot of good times, too. Charlie was the best snuggler. He loved to curl up with me on the couch and hang out with me. Walks with him were so peaceful and relaxing. I loved exploring the neighborhood with him. I loved him a lot, and he loved me.

But, it was time to say goodbye on Tuesday. I had needed him for so long, and it was time for me to be there for him. I had to make a difficult decision, but one that needed to be made. After many years of love and support, I had to do something for him; I had to give him the relief he needed.

What Can I Learn from This?

As I sit here, fighting back tears in a Panera Bread, I am naturally filled with sadness. However, I am also filled with gratitude. I am incredibly fortunate to have had a dog like Charlie. The description of him I gave above does not do him justice. He was all of that and so much more. I am so grateful God blessed me with this dog. I’m also grateful to my mom and stepdad for giving in to my begging and pleading and getting me this dog.

I’m grateful to everyone in my family for their help in taking care of Charlie over the years. Charlie had a special bond with my grandfather, who was my go-to puppy sitter for a number of years. My stepdad took care of Charlie when I was at my dad’s house. Moreover, my dad used to drive me over to my mom’s house when I was supposed to be with him so that I could walk Charlie. My siblings all loved Charlie too, and he loved them. Charlie and I have been blessed with an excellent family.

So, yes, I am sad, but I’m also grateful. If there is anything to be learned from this blog post, it’s that, in the midst of sorrow, we can still be grateful. When we are mourning, we can find reasons to say thank you.

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