Once not long ago we shared homes with the Elder family members, but now they are own their own for different reasons. They are living much longer and healthier than ever before and most can stay independent longer also. Sometimes when they are no longer independent, the only thing for most people is a senior home. The kids are not at home to take care of them and their lives are too busy. It seems that no one has the time to care for our Elders because they are trying to make their own ends meet. Allowing stress into our lives has caused many people emotional problems. And I believe with all my heart it is because we are too busy. We have always been busy. I know from my life experience that just staying alive years ago was a full time job. Families had to grow their own food, can and preserve their food, grind their own flour and corn meal, bake their own bread. We raised chickens, hogs and relied mostly on wild game.
The seasons would come and go without any warning of bad storms or floods the way they do now. Today we have so many of these concerns behind us and are able to enjoy life more. But we have fallen into a way of life that causes great stress. Sometimes it is not of our own doing things are this way. I feel the root of all this stress is the feeling of losing love in our lives. When I was growing up on the Cherokee Reservation, there was always someone there to great me when I came home. There was always someone to talk to. Very few people lived alone back then because it was expensive and also lonely. And still is.
I know many come home to an empty house with no one to greet them, love them or care about them. Pets have taken over the roll of loving us. And what a blessed role that is for my wife and I. They have became the one thing in life we can depend on. They are true and loyal and I have never heard a complaint or one expect more than we can give. They bring us the love that we may be missing. Some of human loved ones have broken the promise of unconditional love, but our dog, cats and birds have always been there. When the house would other wise be empty of life other than our own, there is sweet and innocent lives happy to be with us both.
They fill our house with not only life, they fill the house with love. But a pet brings more then that. Our pets bring us closer to spiritual principles and to that great love of our Creator as few in our lives can. The Creator seems so far away for so many much of the time. But our pets bring us back to that fact that we all are unconditionally loved and remind us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. - William