Blind-Eyed Faith

I've looked into these eyes many times for comfort, understanding, unconditional love and peace. I have whispered to my baby girl late at night or in the middle of the afternoon when I could not get out of bed, "You're my best friend."

It's strange what we find comfort in, oh yes, it is most often the smallest of things. Zion now weighing in at just under 11 pounds has my heart wrapped around hers for she has been by my side almost non-stop from shopping, sleeping, and working to playing, listening, and comforting. I got this Bug-Eyed Baby when her entire Self fit in the palm of my hand 10 years ago. Having her come into my life was heaven-sent sheer inspiration for my heart needed healing while I was on a personal hiking retreat in Zion's Canyon.

Zion and I have taken many road trips together, just the two of us. Our bonding time began as we made our journey home together for the first time, she was 9 weeks old, 5 inches long, tender yet the spit-fire-runt of the litter. On our first journey home from Southern Utah she was tiny enough to ride on the top of my shoulder. Her head was so big compared to her body that when she drank from the water bowl the gravity of her head made her hind legs come off the floor. Oh how I loved this dog from the moment I set eyes on her, but now, now, the love and healing I have received from and through her runs through my blood.

Life changes. We change. Our dogs get older. They go blind. Zion is going blind and a dagger has pierced my heart for I see and feel her fear now as she is trying to navigate her way through murky eyes. She is tenacious and will adjust. She is still playing soccer like Nobody's business. She is also feeling her way by the touch of her nose, the sounds that she hears and the shadows that she sees.

We mourn these things when we see those we love suffer. I suppose that we particularly protect, and feel a great sense to safeguard those who cannot do it for themselves. Little children. Animals. What is so heart wrenching is I cannot explain to her what is happening, nevertheless we love, live and laugh through blind-eyed faith each day and hold on to the sweet moments...

Indoor Soccer w/ Zion