A miracle happened on the way to Mickey Finn's

After watching "Burn After Reading" at the Baghdad Theater, Kris and I decided to have a nightcap at Mickey Finn's. Driving up Woodstock a small dog (later identified as a bassett/pit bull mix) darted out in front of my car and I, gasp, ran over it...both front and back tires. (Mind you, I was going about 20 mph at most and there was no time to react. That little dog was quick!)

My heart sunk and I was just sick at the thought of what that poor animal must look like. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw it run off. I quickly turned around to find it. Two men who happen to witness the entire scene looked with us as we searched the bushes near a home it, and two companion dogs, ran to. Finally we got the owner to come to the door as we figured they owned all three dogs. Sure enough they did. And the little dog that I ran over ran right into the house. The only tell tale sign was my tire tread marks over her back. Ugh..

I was very persistent with the owner that the dog needed immediate medical attention. My car is a large vehicle and very heavy. No way could that little dog survive without medical intervention. I left my phone number and got the number of the two witnesses just in case.

The owner did take the dog immediately to the vet hospital. After x-rays and a thorough work up it was determined that the dog suffered no broken bones or internal injuries. Some how it managed to survive a heavy SUV rolling over it twice. It was given some pain meds for the soreness and told to rest for two weeks. Then, the vet determined, it should be back to normal.

The owner was very apologetic and let me know that the dogs have learned how to unlatch the gate, unbeknownst to her. She will remedy it, she says, and she is so grateful that we stopped and took the time to alert them to her dog's needs.

I was relieved as I was so sick with worry all night. I tried to sleep, but all I could do is have nightmares. I prayed that the little dog wasn't suffering. My prayers were answered.

I might bring them a dog basket of treats later this week. Perhaps a soft dog bed, too. Some place for "Lillieth" to recoup from this traumatic accident. Stay safe, little doggie. Stay in your yard and grow to be an old doggie one day!

I had a nightmare last night

Well, to be honest, it was most likely this morning. Hard to tell what time it was due to how dark our mornings are lately. But that isn't important. It was a horrible nightmare involving my son, Max.

Max, who is four years old, is my only son. He is also my baby and I let him know that all the time. In my nightmare, he is an infant again. I am at the hospital with him. He is suffering from some sort of incurable infliction. The doctors have given him medicine to stop the pain and I am holding him trying so hard to maintain my gaze. I believe that if I don't look away he can't slip away into death. I have tears rolling down my face as I softly talk to him. I am pleading for God to save him. But the doctors tell me death is inevitable. I am pained beyond belief. I don't want to let him go. I can't accept he has to die.

And I wake up scared and shaken. I try to piece reality to together. I pray that it was just a bad dream. And then I hear him talking with my husband in the kitchen. He is sharing some wonderful thoughts he had and what type of cereal he'd like to eat. Thank you God.

I believe I know why I had this nightmare. I've been thinking a lot about Kevin the past week. Kevin is a 15 year old boy who died last month. He was the younger brother of teenage daughter's friend. The death was a bizarre accident at home. Purely an accident, but such a total tragedy. I attended the funeral with my daughter and listened to his friends, family and finally his mother speak. I didn't know Kevin or his parents, but when his mom spoke I felt like I was there with them when they found Kevin's body. I felt the pain of this being the last time she tucks in him at night. I teared up and tried hard to escape the grief but it consumed me.

Now, after my nightmare, I understand how difficult it would be to pick up and go on after losing your baby. I hope to never have to experience it, but if God decides to take one of my children home to Heaven before me then I hope to face that grief with as much grace as Kevin's mom.