Yesterday, January 6, 2014, we lost Blanca. She had been diagnosed with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), and she was at a point that was, essentially, endstage CAE. It was a very sad day, and it is a very sad time.
Tomorrow, Valentines Day, 2012, would have been my 12th anniversary. The 12th anniversary of my wedding to Simon Young. Simon – the man with whom I thought I would grow old, spend the rest of my life, you know, that sort of thing. Our wedding license reflects that Simon A. Young and Anne P. Mitchell were married on Valentines Day of 2000, in San Jose, California; a great date by any measure. It was Simon’s idea to get married on Valenines Day, which is funny when you consider that our first year together Simon tried to convince me that they don’t observe Valentines Day in England (Simon is British). Our divorce decree states that Anne P. Mitchell Young and Simon Adrian Young were divorced on March 23rd of 2011 in Boulder, Colorado. Neither hints at what would or did come to pass in the intervening years. I sometimes wonder how different my life would be, if I had known then what I know now. Here’s what I know for sure: I wouldn’t trade the wonderful son who has been entrusted to my care for anything, not even to have been spared the heartache of the past few years.
In the past several years, I have dealt with the deaths of far too many beloved pets. It always hurts – hurts like hell – to say “goodbye” to a loved one. But I have learned, the hard way, that sometimes the pain is balanced by the incredible intimacy of being allowed the privilege of being with your pet at the very end. Of having every last second with them, and of witnessing their exit from this world. Of being the one to be with them at that moment.
Continue reading about The Pain and Privilege of Witnessing a Natural Death
Copyright © 2024 The Story Of Anne's Life All rights reserved. Amazing Grace theme by 
Recent Comments