Kathleen Long Bostrom
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Missing Ellie

3/18/2022

2 Comments

 
Picture
​I've had every intention of writing a blog a week since the Newbery Medal was announced in January. I planned to share stories of the Newbery medalists, their books, and my interactions with them. And then my life changed. My beloved rescue dog of nearly fifteen years, Ellie, died January 30. She'd been declining in health due to her heart condition but until the last days was a happy, engaged and loving girl.

During her rapid decline, I focused my attention almost completely on loving her through her dying and death. I don't regret that, not for a minute. I got way behind on many obligations, including this blog, but I was immersed in caring for my sweet dog who had been my faithful companion for so many years.

I've allowed myself to grieve; to cry when the moment strikes, to look at her photos, to share Ellie stories with my family and friends who also loved her. Grieving is hard, exhausting, and necessary work, and as a pastor who has also endured tragedy and trauma, I recognize that every person grieves in their own way, and that's okay.

I'm looking for a new dog to rescue but taking my time. Ellie will be hard to follow, and I want to be sure to love and cherish a dog for that dog and not as a substitute, which no dog can ever be.

I'll keep you posted and will soon post about Easter books for children. In my own recent time with death and grief, I can't wait for Easter. But walking this long, shadowed journey of Lent, it is exactly what I need right now. Resurrection only happens after death, and we all walk the valley of shadows. Let us be kind and gentle with others and ourselves and hold fast to our faith in Life beyond life.


2 Comments
Lisa Scott Jones link
3/20/2022 08:30:40 am

Kathy,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. I am so sorry to hear of Ellie's death. Thinking of you - Lisa

Reply
Glenys Nellist link
3/20/2022 05:51:39 pm

Ellie looked like a lovely companion, Kathy.
God bless.

Reply

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  • Home
  • Christmas Stories
    • The Worst Christmas Ever
    • Mary's Happy Christmas Day
    • The Secret of the Twelve Days of Christmas
    • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
  • Children's Books
    • Board Books >
      • Will You Be Friends with Me?
      • The View At The Zoo
      • God Loves You
      • Thank You God!
      • Good Morning God!
      • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers
      • Mary's Happy Christmas Day
      • VeggieTales This Little Light of Mine
      • VeggieTales Count Your Blessings
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
    • Picture Books >
      • The View At The Zoo
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Who Made the World?
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • My Pet Shop
      • The World That God Made
      • Papa's Gift
      • When Pete's Dad Got Sick
      • That's So Weird!
      • Song of Creation
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • Stories from the Bible
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • The Bible Explorer's Guide
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Christian Children's Books >
      • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
      • Thank You God!
      • God Loves You
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • The World That God Made
      • Good Morning God!
      • Mary's Happy Christmas Day
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • The Secret of the Twelve Days of Christmas
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
      • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers
      • Stories from the Bible
      • Papa's Gift
      • Song of Creation
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Who Made the World?
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • That's So Weird!
      • The Bible Explorer's Guide
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • When Pete's Dad Got Sick
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • The Value-Able Child
      • 99 Ways To Raise ​Spiritually Healthy Children
      • VeggieTales This Little Light of Mine
      • VeggieTales Count Your Blessings
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
    • Easter Books >
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • God Loves You
      • Thank You God!
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
  • Books for Adults
    • Women's Devotional & Spirituality >
      • Finding Calm in the Chaos
      • Making Space For The Spirit
      • 99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven
      • Daily Feast Meditations from Feasting of the Word
    • Raising Healthy, Happy Children >
      • 99 Ways To Raise ​Spiritually Healthy Children
      • The Value-Able Child
    • Devotionals & Spirituality >
      • Daily Feast Meditations from Feasting of the Word
      • Finding Calm in the Chaos
      • Making Space For The Spirit
      • 99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven
    • Daily Feast Meditations from Feasting of the Word
    • Finding Calm in the Chaos
    • Making Space For The Spirit
    • The Value-Able Child
    • 99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven
    • 99 Ways To Raise ​Spiritually Healthy Children
    • Winning Authors: Profiles of the Newbery Medalist
  • Kathy's Musings
  • About Kathy
  • Exclusive Signed Editions for Sale
    • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
    • Bedtime Stories & Prayers - 4 Books in 1 - Signed Edition
    • Who Made the World? Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Give Thanks - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Celebrate Easter! Signed Edition
    • The World That God Made - Signed Edition
    • Who is Jesus? Signed Edition
    • Papa's Gift - Signed Edition
    • The Day Scooter Died - Signed Edition
    • When Pete's Dad Got Sick - Signed Edition
    • Why is There a Cross? Signed Edition
    • The Bible Explorer's Guide: People and Places - Signed Edition
    • Mary's Happy Christmas Day - Signed Edition
    • Easter Stories and Prayers - 4 Books in 1
    • Waiting for Christmas Signed Edition
    • The Secret of the Twelve Days of Christmas - Signed Edition
    • My Pet Shop - Signed Edition
  • Events
  • Videos