Is This How It’s Going to Be Today?

Posted by Barbara Techel
Is this How It's Going to Be Today?
kids.nationalgeographic.com

I don’t know how it started. But sometimes these things just evolve on their own.

One day I just couldn’t get enough of my husband, John. What I mean by this is that there are days when I feel extra head over heels in love with him. It’s just something that takes over and I want to be sure he knows how much I truly love him. Lucky for me, he has these days towards me too.

Out of the blue one day a few years ago, with a big grin on his face as I was giving him a hug for what seemed the 100th time, John said “Is this how it’s going to be today?” And we laughed and laughed.

Now whenever these moments of bliss happen, which seem quite often lately, (and I’m not complaining!) this is what one or the other will say to whoever happens to be the lucky recipient of over zealous affection.

So when my friend, Dawn, shared a video in her newsletter this week I immediately thought of John and I. I couldn’t help but send it to John and title the subject line, “Is this How it’s Going to be Today?” I share the video with you below– Just click on the photo.

I feel so blessed to have the relationship I do with John. We truly are two peas in a pod, or I guess I should also say, two prairie dogs enjoying the sweet moments of life.

Wishing you many sweet moments today!

Photo: Jan Pelcman

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Dog Barks from the Other Side

Posted by Barbara Techel
Dog Barks from the Other Side
Photo: @Brookburlingphotography

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of my dear dachshund Frankie’s passing. While I never thought my heart would heal from the loss of her, time has, for me, replaced sadness with so many beautiful memories that often bring a smile to my face and a flood of joy to my heart.

And I just have to tell you how amazed I am at how Frankie’s spirit continues to dance around me. It especially seems so this time of year.

It’s as if she is barking from the other side reminding me that we are still connected. And she’s been sending messengers in the form of people reaching out to me talking about her, recalling stories of her, or a time when they met her.
frankie 2

One such case that really moved me deeply was an email I received from Danielle last week. She emailed me once before sharing with me how much my children’s book Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog helped her children to deal with, and understand, their own dachshund Dixie’s paralysis.

Dixie has seen passed away and this time Danielle wrote:

I wanted to contact you, this time to share with you how much my kids (my 5-year-old twins) have been enjoying your “Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Coloring and Activity” book.  They love the paper-dog Frankie!  For them, it was especially important that Frankie was in her cart, so we had to get the cart cut out right away.  🙂   Since they each had a book, they each pretended to be a “Frankie” and talk to the other “Frankie”.  🙂  

My daughter loved putting as much on Frankie as she could possibly fit!  My son loved having Frankie more plain so he could still recognize her. They could not get enough of cutting, trying on, and role playing!  

The whole activity also helped them reconnect with Dixie’s spirit and life and remember her in a fun way since her passing.

twins
Danielle’s five year old twins dressing Frankie paper dog cut out

I can’t even begin to find the right words to tell you how much this means to me! But there I was, sitting at my computer, tears of joy rolling down my face. And a few tears wishing I could hold Frankie… just. one. more. time.

But it was just another reminder that as my mom said to me last weekend that “love never dies.” And she is right. It just takes a different form, but it is always there. Always.

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