Loyalty

"Loyalty is standing up for something you believe in, having unwavering faith. It is being faithful to your family, your country, your friends or your ideals—when the going gets tough as well as when things are good… Loyalty is based on commitments—commitments you make and plan to keep forever."

-excerpts from the Virtues cards with permission from The Virtues Project™

Today is the day I will have my loyal companion, my cocker spaniel Maggie, put to sleep. She has been my friend and loyal companion for the sixteen years since our family got her as a puppy. She sleeps under my desk in my office, and follows me around my house. We have taken long walks together, her tail wagging furiously as she catches the scent of a rabbit or squirrel; she rarely sees the squirrel as it scampers up a tree, she's so busy following with her nose. As her legs weakened, I have taken walks by myself and it feels strange not to have her pulling me along with her leash. She has been with me as my children grew from preteens to young women. She puts up with the huge black lab my daughter now brings to visit; moving away as she gets whopped in the face with that gigantic tail. She has been deaf for several years now, and every once in a while she barks for no apparent reason. Her eyes are clouded with cataracts, and her legs are failing her, but her face is still as sweet as ever, and she wags when she sees me. She greets everyone who comes to our home with a friendly face and wagging tail. She has been a faithful, loyal, and trusting friend. My dear, sweet Maggie. I will miss her so.

Questions for reflection:

1. How have the pets or people in my life shown loyalty?
2. What is a commitment that I plan to keep forever?
3. What virtues do I call on in times of sadness?
4. How am I loyal to my ideals?

July 21, 2004