Life. No one ever said it would be easy. Quite the opposite in fact. Life is tough. Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn’t really lived. And big or small, it doesn’t matter. Some troubles can seem insurmountable regardless of their size.
I remember one of mine like it was yesterday. It was the day my first adoptive parents took me back to the Oshkosh Humane Society. I was showered with love from all the shelter workers (especially Katie, my friend who always had a few extra treats in her pocket with my name on them). Even a few of the other dogs were clearly happy to see me. But I wouldn’t have it. I was at the lowest of the low with no optimistic neighbor pal like Rusty to dig me out of the darkness this time.
In these moments of darkness, the light can seem so far away. But in reality it’s not. Oftentimes it is just beyond our reach. We just need someone to reach out and pull us that last couple of steps. We need help. Because whatever the struggle may be, it has us in such a haze of negativity we just can’t see how close we are to relief. To safety. To life.
Sometimes the realization of this happens instantly. I wasn’t so lucky. Mine happened over time, with help from Katie and her treats. And her love. And her encouragement. “They will find you, Wiley,” she would say during our daily play time. “Your forever people are coming for you. I just know it.”
And they did. The found me and I felt whole again. I knew everything would be all right. But I don’t know what I would have done without Katie and her kind words every day.
It can be painful to remember the tough times, but they are part of who we are. And now that mine are behind me, I can appreciate their meaning in my life. I can appreciate the characters who kept shining the light at me, like Rusty and Katie. And I know the importance of not just looking back where I came from, but reaching back and bringing someone with me. Because as American author Helen Keller said “walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
Life. No one ever said it would be easy. I don’t know how long I was in the darkness before I found the light again. I guess it was only a couple of weeks, but (take it from me) that can feel like a lifetime when your heart is in a dark place. I renewed my vow the day of my adoption never to go back to that dark place. To instead find joy from the ground up in all people, places and things. And (perhaps most importantly) to be that person for someone.
Today’s post was written in response to the daily prompt:
Tell us about a time when everything seemed to be going wrong — and then, suddenly, you knew it would be alright.
I’m a believer in the growth that can come from recognizing these moments in our lives. Please share yours with me.
Wiley's Wisdom 
I’m so happy your mom and dad found yoootooowooowoooooooo!
That makes two of us dearest Ku! I thought of you while I wrote this, wondering if you had a similar experience to me. I’m so glad your momma found you like my family found me. 🙂
Thank you for your wisdom
And thank you for your presence in my present. It’s the best kind of present anyone can give. 😉
Oh Wiley! I just love your posts!
Hello stranger! It’s always so nice hearing from you! Thanks for your kind words and support.
Lots of love,
Wiles
[…] Don’t Let Me Go | Wiley’s Wisdom […]
Thanks for the pingback!
Hi Wiley! Ya know, every night is quiet time over here. After we eat dinner and Mom cleans up all the mess, both Nikita and Bella play a little rough-house, coffee is made, then the dogs lay down beside us for a nap. It happens every night here and when that quiet time hits, I always wonder if they both know how good they have it and that they never have to worry about anything ever again. I look down at their sweet tired sleepy faces and smile, because I know that we rescued them and will love them forever. We changed their life forever, and they as well, changed our lives. Owning a dog is just not “having one”. Owning a dog is taking on and accepting all the responsibilities that goes with being a dog owner, even the parts that aren’t so pleasing like picking up dog doo doo.
Dearest friend,
You nailed it on the head with your usual heart and sense of humor. Brilliantly said as always. Speaking from me, please know they appreciate your rescue of them just as much as you appreciate their rescue of you and the family. I know with all my heart that you love them deeply, and they are so lucky to have that kind of love in their lives. I’m thinking of having mom do a guest post on her perspective of rescue, which I believe to be pretty similar to yours. Have you seen the poem “I Rescued A Human Today?” You simply must Google it if you haven’t. And grab the tissues – it gets us every time!
Lots of love,
Wiles
Oh Wiley, I just read that poem and it is a tear jerker for sure. It’s 3:30 in the morning here right now, and I can’t sleep (having a small asthma attack) House is quiet other than the sound of the furnace kicking on and my Sweetie snoring down the hallway. Bella is zonked out on her doggie bed in the bedroom. Nikita is laying on the floor behind me in front of my paper mache fireplace & pumpkins, basking in the orange glow from the pumpkin lights. I look at her laying there so content, and I smile. Smile because each and every day they make me happy, they make my heart happy, and I in return give them all the love I can. I tell Nikita all the time “do you know how many kissies I give you in a day on top of your nose?” She never answers me, but I know she loves Mommys kissies!
Dear friend…it bums me out that you were suffering so early this morning. You and my mom could have chatted on FB or something to make the time pass. 😉 What a beautiful image of you and your family, albeit in crummy circumstances. I’m so glad you have Nikita (and Bella) to keep you centered in challenging moments. I bet we’d all be pals if we ever met up at a dog park! And take it from me – you’re absolutely right about those kisses from Mommy…we love them more than words can say! 🙂
Lots of love to the whole family,
Wiles
Lots of love right back at you too! By the way, I have wanted to ask you if you would like to exchange mailing addresses? I would love to add you to my Christmas Card list and make sure I also send you a bday card too! (you have my email address if you would like to!)
That sounds great. We’ll have to be in touch via email. 😉
That is so awesome! I love sending out Christmas cards, but it would be so special to send one to my favorite blogger! 🙂
Aw! You always know how to make my heart smile. 🙂
I’m good like that!
🙂
Thanks for another great post, Wiley. Life can be tough and a few moments it can be wonderful… Mr. Frost said:In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.
Hello dear brother,
That is a fabulous quote from Mr. Frost. I love him (and you) very much. 🙂
Lots of love,
Wiles
Katie was a good positive thinker. Helen Keller, too. No sight, but great vision. Looking ahead is important. Bringing someone else with you – even better. You do that every day, Wiles!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Dear Cupcake,
Your words touched my soul again today. Simple as that. Thank you for being such a special part of my blogosphere.
Love,
Wiles
Very sweet anecdote! You’re of the lovable bloggers here in WP and whenever I pass by your site to get my daily dose of reading, you always make me smile, enlighten me, and remind me that life goes on as we intend to make it go on. Please take care and keep making us smile and inspired! 😀
Well hello stranger. It’s always so nice to hear from you. Your kind words of love and encouragement warm my heart. Truly, thank you for dropping by and making my day! 🙂
“In these moments of darkness, the light can seem so far away. But in reality it’s not. Oftentimes it is just beyond our reach. We just need someone to reach out and pull us that last couple of steps. We need help. Because whatever the struggle may be, it has us in such a haze of negativity we just can’t see how close we are to relief. To safety. To life.” You nailed it again, dear Wyles. The French have a saying, “Sauve qui peut,” which is translated as “save who can.” Now, another translation has that meaning, “every man for himself” or “run for your life.” Not for me. For me, it translates as “save yourself and take someone with you!” You do that every day, Wyles. 🙂
As you know, dear one, it is my goal to bring people with me on my journey of joy. So it should come as no surprise that my heart smiled upon reading your words. Thank you.
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
No one ever said it would be easy.
No, no one ever said it would be easy or fair. But thank God, there are those wno smile at us and say, come this way, I know where there is light. And they open their hearts and out it comes! When I was told I had cancer, my cat Pugsley, who walked across the Rainbow Bridge a few years ago, just kept loving me snd purring hope to me. He stayed by me and loved me, just like some people in my life. I felt so frightened but there were thos family and friends, guiding me to the hope and sharing that love. They had numan treats for me, with my name on them: prayers. Truly, it is that love that brings across the darkness.