Fun Monday - The Tracks of My Tears

Mariposa is hosting this week and wants to know:


Let's talk about TEARS. What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘tears’? Have you ever had tears of laughter and tears of joy? When was the last time you had tears of joy? Tears of laughter? Tell us about it!


Ah, crying... a near-daily part of my life now. I have discovered that it is a very good stress reliever. Every couple of days, I play back a "Touched by an Angel" episode and really cry when the story gets to the bit where the angel reveals him/herself. By the end, my eyes are dry and I'm ready to start my day.


I am also very familiar with tears of joy and laughter. When my whole family gets together, there are invariably both kinds. My brothers can make me curl up on the floor howling with laughter (the sponge story still makes me tear up it was so funny!).


And of course, our pets are good for all kinds of laughter and tears. They are so sweet, so loving, and so kooky.


When my parents moved to the farm, they toyed with the idea of getting a dog, but somehow it never happened. Then one day, my brother A called. A fellow police officer was having a baby and there was no room in her apartment or in her time anymore for the 11 month old German Shepard she owned. She wanted to make sure he went to a good home, and A knew just where that dog was needed.


Deacon came to live at my parents' house and quickly became a much loved member of the family. He was also known as "Uncle Dog" because he was our fur brother. When Dad decided it was time to try raising chickens, Deacon was fascinated. He learned quickly that chasing the chickens was not acceptable, but letting them ride around on his back was.

He was patient with the kids and sat through concerts he might not have otherwise chosen to attend.

He loved riding around in the golf cart, and when everyone else was picking blueberries, he supervised from the shady seat.

He was a good playmate for Kida. When she came out to the farm with us, they would race around like maniacs. Kida was faster, but she would slow down so Deacon could catch her. After they wore each other out, they'd have a drink out of the birdbath...

then retire to the laundry room to hang out under the ceiling fan.

Sometimes, I think his favorite thing was riding around in the golf cart with ZBoy driving. If Kylee happened to come along, they would all squish into the seat together. And more than once, Nosy the chicken would perch on the back and they'd ALL go riding around together. That picture in my mind has brought tears of laughter many times.

This was Deacon's usual expression - a big, goofy dog-smile. Tongue ALWAYS hanging out.


Saturday night, my parents went to see a play. And while they were gone, Deacon decided to go visiting - probably to the dogs across the highway. Across the highway was the problem. He was hit by a car, and when my parents got home, he was lying by the side of the road.

He was too heavy for my dad to lift, so in the morning, he got up early, dug a grave in the pasture, then called his friend John to come help him move Deacon. They got the job done and Dad made him a marker.

He carefully routed his name into a piece of wood and nailed his collar and tags to it.


I spent yesterday afternoon at the farm. And there were tears. Different kinds of tears. Tears of laughter recalling the time Deacon (who had an unfortunate fondness for chicken poop) actually caught a chicken and proceeded to clean its backside up. Tears of joy at having had that magnificent animal in our lives. And tears of grief because a big hole has been left in our family.

It is said that people who have loved greatly will love again. That will be the case here. Already my mom is wondering if it's possible to get another dog from the same bloodline. Because a sweetness like Deacon's is in the blood.