Can someone please tell me where the first half of May went because we feel like we blinked and summer is knocking on our door. But we are not complaining because we're having spectacular weather, and we have live music in the garden til 8PM for our first For Friday's Sake event TOMORROW! Me? I'll be watching the sun go down enjoying a sandwich and a few drinks at The Potting Shed. Please don't make me drink alone, k?
In the middle of everything else going on, it is with sad and heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to Chip, our most beloved supporter of all things FGS. Let me start with a walk down memory lane.
Scott and I both grew up never having a dog. He had quite a collection of cats. I had a guinea pig once. When we got married, we got a cat named Simon. After realizing I was highly allergic to cats, we had to rehome Simon. Scott determined I wasn't as cheap to rehome. So we decided to move on to kids. Maybe that would be easier. Rrrriiiggggghhhhhhtttttttt ...... thumb's up.
Three kids later, our youngest was headed off to kindergarten. I had a midlife mom crisis. I was home. I would be lonely. One lonely afternoon, I met friends at the mall. My friends and I wandered into the pet store for kicks and giggles and there he was. Chip, a four month old furry little angel. We locked eyes, and I asked if I could meet him.
My friends tried to talk sense into me. They really did and even used the 24 hour rationale rule on me that I used on them when making an impulsive decision. But I went home anyway and told Scott what happened and this was seriously meant to be. It's a gift from the Lord. How can you say no to the Lord?
In humor, Scott decides to visit the mall and by Sunday, we bring Chip home and it was the best decision we ever made. Fifteen years of unconditional support, love and snuggles. Chip really was one of a kind. Chip is the reason many of our friends have dogs now. Our friends would keep him for us and then, they would have a dog a year later. Chip made people who didn't like dogs like dogs. He was absolutely a gift to our family.
Having never made the decision that it was "time" was the hardest experience ever. Even when you know it is the right and kindest decision, it still isn't easy. And two middle-aged adults ugly crying is not particularly adorable. I have never been so thankful to have half my face hidden behind a mask. For anyone that has gone through this, I finally can say I understand now.
We will celebrate Chip always. He was such a huge part of our family for some of the biggest events in our lives. Edison and Truman have big shoes to fill. I hope they are up for it. But let's be real. No one will ever fill Chip's shoes.
So that is our sad little story and tribute to Chip this week. I emotionally ate an entire pizza, and I might need to take home 4 new houseplants and name them all after Chip. Chiplily, ChipZZ, Chipegonia and Chiptherium. You should probably come pick one out as well and name it after one of your loved ones, too. Emotional support plants for the win.
