R.I.P Pip

We said goodbye to the smallest member of our family this morning.  Audra's hamster Pip had been going downhill for a few weeks.  I hated checking on her every day to see if she was still breathing.  When I told Richard how hard it was for me, he said, "I'll do it."  And he has.  Every day.  Taking that burden off me was one of the nicest things he has done because I know it was hard for him too.  Watching and waiting for someone/something to die is hard.  Even though it was "just" a hamster, it brought back memories.  When we didn't know how many more days we would have with Anna, we would wake up every day and check to see if she was still breathing.  Only then could we relax and thank God for another day.
If you are not counting your days, you should.  The Bible says,

"Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)  

It also says,

"As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." (Psalm 103:15-16)

If you are breathing, thank God for another day, realize that it is a gift, and make the most of it.

The REST of the story....

Even though Richard has been checking on Pip, it was Audra who found her.  We had just returned yesterday from an overnight trip to the beach.  We were still unloading the car when we heard Audra crying.  She had gone to check on Pip as soon as she walked in the door.
When I was putting her to bed last night Audra said, "That sure was a bad way to end our vacation."