Hello. I
want to wish everyone a happy February and I hope you all
had a great holiday season, and the new year is treating
you well.
The holidays
were marred with the flu around our house. I ended up sick,
and was out of sorts for about a week. I think it was nationwide as we talked to other family members
around the country who also were
experiencing it. Hope this issue finds all in good health.
In January, I
took my annual trek to Las Vegas. Joining me were my
brothers Steve, Jerry, Larry, Rick, Mike, my son Austin, and
Tennessee friend Bob. I had a great time (as usual).
Saturday in old Vegas was a hoot. We all got dressed up in
glitter, tats, and toups. I have never laughed so hard when
Mike lost his toupee while bending over, and having it drop
right in the middle of a craps table. I go to Las Vegas
there for the experience, and that left me with one I (or
the 16 players and employees around the table) will ever
forget.
Some of you may
have known that our dog Eddy passed away recently. I did not put
it in the Metro, but it was a sad day for me, Margaret, and our
kids. Eddy was 14 years old, and had been with us since a pup.
We got him for Brad and Austin, but as they grew and moved out,
he was Margaret's and my 'old man' around the house. We were
hurting when his sight started to go and pain crept in. He was
only the second pet I had in my life (the first was Rosie). Even
though it has been a couple months, I still anticipate him
greeting me at the door when I come home.
I saw this story
about a similar situation, and thought it would be a good time
to share. Hopefully, all the parents and pet lovers will enjoy.
ABBEY
Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith, addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, ‘To Meredith’ in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, ‘When a Pet Dies.’ Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Here's to Eddy, and all the
4 legged friends friends of ours who bring love into our lives. Cheers!
