I thank God that He gave Bethany to me. She has filled my life with love, joy and laughter.
There’s that New Year’s Eve when she kept climbing up the Christmas tree. Countless times I chased her down. Finally, I told her, “Go ahead and have fun; it’s coming down tomorrow anyway.” I looked and saw her at the top, the tree swinging wildly. I said, “Maybe sooner.” I barely got the words out, when down came the tree, and I saw a little black blur dash into my bedroom!
Then there’s the time I bought a huge dream catcher. I came home from work one day to find her batting something around the floor. It was soft with a ball in the middle and feathers hanging from the bottom. Upon checking, I found that she had jumped up and grabbed one of the things that hang down and pulled it off.
She had a way of being a pest. Every time I'd want to sit down and relax, she wanted on my lap. Or if I wanted to read or write, she'd want to be held. But I'd always remember that there's a sad day coming when I'll wish I could hold her again - and I took every opportunity to hold her.
I’ll always be glad I did because that sad day has come. Now my arms and lap are cold and empty.
In the fall of 2007, I noticed a growth on her lip. It was cancer. It spread to her ear and leg, then to 4 places in and around her mouth. She ate through a feeding tube. Even whipped cream caused her excruciating pain, so I knew it was time.
As the vet gave her a sedative, I sang her song and rocked her to sleep on my lap. Within a minute of receiving the final injection, her spirit was free.
Do you know how much I love you, baby? More than your sweet little heart can ever imagine. Do you know how long I will love you? Only forever!
A hundred thousand million billion trillion years from now,
Loooong after the sun has gone supernova,
And burned itself out,
And after the planets have all disintegrated into dust,
I’ll still be your mommy,
You’ll still be my baby,
Oh, and, honey, I will still love you.
Always and forever, baby.
Forever and a day.