Kathleen Long Bostrom
  • Home
  • New Book: Since The Baby Came
  • 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
      • VeggieTales This Little Light of Mine
      • VeggieTales Count Your Blessings
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
    • Picture Books >
      • New Book: Since The Baby Came
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • God Loves You
      • The View At The Zoo
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Who Made the World?
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • My Pet Shop
      • 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
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Christian Children's Books >
      • New Book: Since The Baby Came
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
      • Thank You God!
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • Who Made the World?
      • Good Morning God!
      • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers
      • Stories from the Bible
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
      • Papa's Gift
      • Song of Creation
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • That's So Weird!
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • When Pete's Dad Got Sick
      • 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!
    • Christmas Stories >
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Easter Books for Children >
      • 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
    • Papa's Gift - Signed Edition
    • The Day Scooter Died - Signed Edition
    • When Pete's Dad Got Sick - Signed Edition
    • Waiting for Christmas Signed Edition
    • My Pet Shop - Signed Edition
    • Easter Stories and Prayers - 4 Books in 1 - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Celebrate Easter! Signed Edition
    • Who is Jesus? Signed Edition
    • Why is There a Cross? Signed Edition
  • Videos
  • Events

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

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Awards

    2013
    Distinguished Alumna of Princeton Theological Seminary

    2014 
    David Steele
    Distinguished Writer
    The most prestigious award given by the Presbyterian Writers Guild

      Please share your comments

    Submit

    Archives

    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021

    Categories
    ​

    All
    Kathy's Books
    New Children's Books By Other Authors

    RSS Feed

Facebook
Picture
Picture
Kathleen Long Bostrom, author, children's books, women's spiritual books
Picture
Picture

    I hope You'll sign up for my monthly newsletter

Subscribe to Newsletter

Website designed by

www.envisionworship.com
  • Home
  • New Book: Since The Baby Came
  • 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
      • VeggieTales This Little Light of Mine
      • VeggieTales Count Your Blessings
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
    • Picture Books >
      • New Book: Since The Baby Came
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • God Loves You
      • The View At The Zoo
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Who Made the World?
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • My Pet Shop
      • 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
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Christian Children's Books >
      • New Book: Since The Baby Came
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
      • Thank You God!
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • Who Made the World?
      • Good Morning God!
      • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers
      • Stories from the Bible
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
      • Papa's Gift
      • Song of Creation
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • That's So Weird!
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • When Pete's Dad Got Sick
      • 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!
    • Christmas Stories >
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Easter Books for Children >
      • 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
    • Papa's Gift - Signed Edition
    • The Day Scooter Died - Signed Edition
    • When Pete's Dad Got Sick - Signed Edition
    • Waiting for Christmas Signed Edition
    • My Pet Shop - Signed Edition
    • Easter Stories and Prayers - 4 Books in 1 - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Celebrate Easter! Signed Edition
    • Who is Jesus? Signed Edition
    • Why is There a Cross? Signed Edition
  • Videos
  • Events