Think, Write, Delete

Dear Little Sis,

Today I did something for the first time, I wrote a letter to my grandson. Oh, I've written him many times via Facebook and Texting, but this is the first time I've actually written him a letter. I had to. He is now stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and is in his first week of Basic Military Training and the only way to correspond with him is to write a letter. I had already begun to "create" his letter when yesterday I received his address from his mom.

The reason I use the word "create" is because it was more than a letter, I decided to write it in a newsletter format. You know that I've been doing newsletters for the past 10 years at my employment, but this newsletter took on an importance beyond all those I created for my work. My husband couldn't believe how much time I spent writing, searching for graphics, and looking on my Thesaurus for just the right word, all the while imagining how happy he'll be when he receives it. Often these young recruits will read and reread letters from home since its the only communication they have for weeks while they are being tested both physically and mentally for the first time in their lives. All these thoughts ran through my head and challenged to even work harder on my project.

I decided to keep my Newsletter to one page, since I was purposing to make this a weekly issue. After writing about family news events I had a few inches at the bottom of the page. I wasn't sure what to add, maybe a picture, a joke, or leave it blank. Then I thought about the opportunity I had before me...a chance to share my heart and leave my grandson with some of my thoughts that he might even remember, so I entitled the article "Granni Thoughts". I decided to share my thoughts on the significance of writing a letter and how permanent it can be in the world where most correspondences are shredded or deleted. Below is "Granni Thoughts"

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In the old days, everyone who was separated by distance would write letters. I remember my mom telling me of when my dad was in the army and the letters they would write each other. These letters kept them in each others thoughts, made them feel close & were kept for a lifetime. Imagine that, words and thoughts remembered years later. In these days of Texting, Facebook, Chatting, etc. where all our communication is instant and then instantly gone with a click, none of our thoughts, ideas or expressions remain in the future, all “deleted”. Writing letters is a wonderful experience, it teaches us to think about the words we are going to use because we know that they will last. Maybe this experience will also help us to speak more carefully, for those words can also last a lifetime. You’re always in my thoughts & prayers, and I’m looking forward to your letters that I will keep for a lifetime!  Love you much, Granni 

Her "Final Lap"

Dear Big Sis,

When my granddaughter invited me to go swimming at the neighbor's house yesterday afternoon, I had no idea that I would become a "surrogate" grandmother to a 6 year old, beautiful chocolate Labrador  named "Princess"...Her owners are on their vacation in Mexico and left Princess and her brother, Jack in my grandson's care. They believed that her health was improving before they had left and they also had installed camera's to monitor her in their absence.  My daughter had informed me that "Princess" had cancer but she neglected to tell me that she was in her most advanced stage of this despicable, cruel disease.

As I approached the swimming pool, I was greeted by Jack who was barking uncontrollably and nervously.  In the corner of the house, on the porch is where I first laid eyes on" Princess."  At that moment, she did not even have the strength to raise her head up to greet me and my heart just sank with a familiar heaviness of the forthcoming dread that was inevitable...

I decided to get into the swimming pool where her brother Jack followed and went in for a little dip but when he got out, he continued on with his non-stop barking as if he were trying to tell me something that I didn't already know and sense.  As I was trying to calm Jack down, I noticed that Princess had gingerly gotten up and was slowly making her way to the pool.  It took every last bit of her failing strength to get to the first step of the pool.  As she was getting into the water, she glanced up at me for a few seconds as if she were letting me know that this would be her final lap to the other side of pool.  She struggled every inch of the way but remarkably made her way back to the first step. She could go no further.  I went over to her to hold her, gently stroked her beautiful brown fur and spoke to her as only a grandmother to a grandchild or granddog would do to reassure her that everything would be alright, very soon....I felt a very intense bond towards this amazing creature that I had just met. Not once did she ever whimper a sound from the obvious pain that she was enduring. She displayed such amazing dignity and sheer courage as her imminent death was approaching...Since her family was unfortunately not present, I felt like I was giving her the "okay" to GO...In retrospect, I only wish that I would have had the courage to stay with her throughout the night but I was too overcome by my emotions having lost two brothers to cancer.

I truly believe that God puts us right where we need to be on any given day or time so that we may experience and learn what HE wants us to learn....I prayed throughout the night for God to spare her. God answered my prayer and took Princess home.  The suffering has finally ceased for her.  Her brother Jack is grieving and crying for his sister. We are all grieving for her as well, along with feelings of relief for her suffering. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

 I have learned that it doesn't matter how long you know someone, even if it was just for one day...Love and compassion for all is God's way of helping us through on our journey or our "final lap"..... Rest in Perfect Peace, "Princess"...... You will be remembered, loved and missed!!!

Big Sis, since you raised chocolate Labs previously, I knew you would understand her greatness and that they are true family members.

Love, Hugs and Blessings,
Little Sis

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalms 34:18

"For The Boy's Sake"

Hey Big Sis,

I'm so glad that you got me up and running again on our blog site....It's been way too long since I've posted anything!!!

Well, I'm officially retired....at least, I thought I was. Actually, I have substituted my weekly hours of work with being a full-time grandmother/caretaker to my youngest grandsons, 4 and 5 years old.  My son was just awarded temporary "primary" custody of the boys and a court date is set for this coming Friday.  Divorce can be so ugly but I find a mother who is "unfit" and who puts her children's lives in danger to be even uglier.   

There are so many incredible women out there who would give their right "limb" to become a mother and can't. And there are so many who take the responsibility of having children "too lightly" and are undeserving of having these precious "gifts from God"... These are just my personal opinions and observations that I'm expressing from a "wounded" grandmother's heart.

It's the little ones who are doing the suffering and their lives are turned upside down right along with their parents.  They are totally confused so they "act out" and understandably so....These are my new challenges and struggles of being a different type of  "grandmother" to my suffering grandson's emotional distress....I have good days with them and suffer right along with them on their bad days.  My role of being grandmother has changed so dramatically.  As confusing as it sounds, my role has reverted back to "mothering"...loving, nurturing, comforting, teaching them manners, playing games, reassuring, reaffirming that they are loved above anything else. We will weather this "storm" together and hopefully they will come out of it without too many scars.....Along with the many heartaches I have witnessed the little ones going through, I feel that they know one thing for absolute certainty; that I will be there for them, always! A grandmother's abundant love runs deep and overflowing! I know my house is their "safe haven" just as I know my "Heavenly Father's House" is the same for ALL of us.....with HIS abundant love for us, always...

I pray that God continues to give me the strength I need to fulfill this opportunity to reshape/remold these young grandson's minds with all of HIS goodness/love at Bible School on Sundays and by my unconditional love/example on a daily basis. It is the solid foundation that will carry them throughout their lives. I also pray for my son to continue to be a loving, positive role model in his son's lives. He definitely has stepped up his responsibilities by being a very proactive parent. Big Sis, please keep us ALL in your prayers for strength, wisdom and guidance for the sake of the boys....God Bless! 

Love, Hugs & Blessings,

Little Sis

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.......

Psalms 127:3

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it....

Proverbs 22:6 

A Dog's Life

I like to share a story sent to me by a friend. It inspired me to live life to the fullest. I hope it'll do the same for you.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. ... I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.'' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try to live. He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!