[Mary4]

I've always been a big believer of things that are just meant to be. And timing, too. I have a strong faith that's helped me through a lot of ups and downs. I remember when I was a little girl and telling my dad that I had asked God for something, and I didn't get an answer. And he sat with me and said, "Well, you did get an answer and the answer was no. Everything comes in His time."

And even though I've had some major disappointments, I feel very blessed with everything I have in my life. I have four wonderful children, a great relationship with my sister and brother, and I still have my dad, who's coming up on 82. We lost my mom nearly four years ago, and though I miss her more every day, I'm blessed that she was my mother. Kind and gentle and forgiving. And she was a wonderful grandmother when she was alive.

I never wanted pets, not matter how much the kids begged. I worked and was a single mom. And I knew who really did all the work But then when I got an offer for Cinni, I took it. The woman who gave her to us (I've mentioned this in other posts) thought it wasn't fair Cinni was alone all day. Her daughter was going to college and she and her husband worked. The deal was, if it didn't work out, she'd take Cinni back. My plan was, to stop my kids from begging for a dog, we'd get Cinni and within a week or so the novelty would wear off, I'd be doing the work, and back she would go.

But much to my surprise, it didn't happen. The kids did what they needed to do. And then my mom took a turn for the worse. And Cinni was our comfort. She was moody but she always knew when someone needed her. It brought tears to my eyes to see one of the kids sitting on the big recliner with Cinni in their lap. They'd be crying softly and talking to her, and she'd be kissing away their tears.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I really believe God sent us Cinni to help with the loss of my mom. Then we lost Cinni unexpectedly last August. Everyone was brokenhearted, and I said NEVER again. It was too sad. The kids were so upset.

After a couple of months, they started asking for another dog. And I stood firm and kept saying no. When the opportunity for Charlie came around, something just "felt" right in my heart. I just knew before I really knew anything about him. I hadn't even seen a picture.

Well, my oldest daughter, Liv, is graduating high school on June 6th. And even though this is what I've worked for all my life, the thought of her going off really has me down in the dumps. (Even though she's only going to be about an hour away.

And, again, I think God sent our family a pet to ease this transition. Charlie has been such a perfect fit and such a darling little dog, that I really believe we were meant for each other. Even though he came to us in a strange way and even though I strongly believe we were misled in some ways, everything has worked out so perfectly.

It's almost how I felt after I had my last baby; I felt complete. People used to ask me how many more kids was I going to have, and I always said, "I don't know. I'll know in my heart when I'm done." And I did. And that's how I feel about Charlie. I feel like we were all meant to be together.

The scary thing is, though, that the woman who didn't want another dog also knows in her heart that she's not done with the Yorkies. Even though now isn't the time to add another pet, I know I'm not "done" yet.

So, sorry for the long post. Feeling a bit emo, I guess. But I'm watching Charlie nap, and I feel so happy and content that we have him.