~Farewell, Fawnie...Til We Meet Again~

Dear Dad, Take good care of my puppies. You now have both of them with you in heaven. Fawnie was so sick. I know that now, he is running through the green fields, ears flying in the wind, with Coconut.

Remember when Tommy saved his birthday money to buy him?? He loved that puppy. sigh.

We are taking time to mourn his loss. He was such good company to me this last year without Coconut. He was always right by my side while I worked. He hated the 'pounding' when I hammered the silver jewelry, though! Maybe Jim will come home from work one nite and meet a new puppy. We'll see!

Katie came yesterday and spent the afternoon with me. It helped a lot. She's a smart cookie for a little Amish girl!!!

For now, I will spend more time with Mom, and take some time to do some traveling. It's the first time in 36 years that I'm not responsible for anyone else: first the boys, then the dogs, then you and mom, then just mom, then one dog....now? I don't like this feeling.

Mom's alzheimer's is still the same: she knows who we are, feeds herself with a little help, can't walk or stand, and still only speaks an occasional word or two. But I know you already know that.
Aunt Grace is there with her, too. She's not doing well, either. They eat all their meals together. It's heartwarming to watch. Who knew they'd both end up there together!

I bet you're golfing everyday. And still rooting for the Browns, and as you used to say, "How 'bout them Indians?"!!!

I miss you horribly, Dad.

xoxoxoxoxox To Heaven and Back~

Your Loving Daughter~xoxoxoxox

~My Coconut Boy~1994-2009~

Dear Dad,

I know that you were there when Coconut crossed the Rainbow Bridge on New Year's Eve. You had such a special relationship with him. I know you loved each other.

He was such a special dog for the 15 years we were blessed to have him. As Jim always said, "He has such gentle eyes. You can see clear through to his soul".

We got him from a 'puppy mill' on Christmas Eve. When we first laid eyes on him, he was a strangly, dirty, 'gray' poodle (so we thought!) in a pen by himself. I didn't care about the dozens of 'new' puppies there. He looked up at me, our eyes locked, and I knew God was telling me to take him home. I told Jim to give the man whatever he wanted for him, because I wasn't leaving without him. (he was a year old...and they were going to use him for breeding) Poor Jim really thought I'd lost my mind.

The day after Christmas I took him to the vet, to find out he was a pure white poodle who had obviously been abused. We washed him til he turned white. The boys named him, 'Coconut', because he looked like mounds of coconut sticking out every which way. Much to the boys' chagrin, he bonded to me....never to leave my side. He was a wonderful dog.

He spent his last day on this earth quietly napping in his bed.....only to get up to follow me into the studio at times. He passed into heaven on New Year's Eve....in my arms. Safe and sound. At home. Exactly where he should have taken his last breaths.

Dad...I kissed him for the last time, and told him to wait for me on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge....with you. I know you will look after him.

Thank you, Dad. I love you. And I miss you terribly.

xoxoxoxoxox To Heaven and Back~

Carol

P.S. Fawn's having a bad time. He is moping around the house. He's loving the extra hugs and kisses, but will be obese if we continue feeding him all these extra treats!!

P.S.S. We had the 'puppy mill' closed down shortly after buying Coconut. The man who was running it was prosecuted and sent to jail.

~A Letter To Heaven~

Dear Danny,

Your oldest son, Jonathan, got married on Saturday.
I know you are very proud of him. He married an angel. Her name is Ashley. She sparkles. All the time. And she really loves your son. You must have had some hand in their meeting, as I believe they are a 'match made in heaven', to be sure.

The wedding was perfect. Ashley's Great Uncle is a priest, so he said the mass. She's Italian, Dan. Isn't that something? And your wife, Kay. Well...she sparkled too, but there was a sadness I could see behind her eyes. She misses you. We all miss you, Dan.

I particularly felt your presence in that beautiful church. Joshua (youngest son) felt it too. We talked about it afterwards. There was a point during the ceremony that Jonathan caught Joshua's eye.....just for a second.....and Joshua said he was certain you were there. Watching. From heaven.

They missed their honeymoon in St. Lucia because of the winds driven by Hurricane Ike. They were really bummed. Did you have a hand in that, too, to keep your son and his new little bride safe? I bet you did!

All four of your step-children were there. With their own kids. They're all beautiful Dan, and doing so well. It's because of you, ya know. You stepped into their lives when they were all small. You raised them like they were your own. They all talked about you. They all acknowledge what you did for them.

Mom is doing 'okay'. She misses you terribly. We talk about you often. Her alzheimer's flares badly at times. But you already know that. Kathy took her pictures from the wedding on Sunday. Even yesterday when I visited her, we talked about Jonathan and Ashley, Kay, the kids.....you.

Do you hear me when I'm driving and praying and talking to you out loud? Do you see me cry when I think of you? Please know that we are all okay. Oh.....I'm a grandmother now!! I don't 'feel' old enough to be one. But I am. Who knew it would be so amazing? Jeff and Jackie have two beautiful children. You'd love them. They'd adore you.

Please say hello to dad. Let him know that I 'smell' his cigarette smoke every-once-in-a-while and I smile. I just know he's playing a lot of golf, and still cheering for the Browns and his beloved Indians. Tell him Kathy and I still sing, "Today Is Monday" and giggle. I miss him.

I love you, Dan. Kiss the angels for me, 'kay? And if God lends you his laptop....do ya think you can shoot me just one itty bitty email to let me know you're okay? Tell Him I'd really appreciate it.

Love 'From Here All The Way to Heaven',

Your Sister Carol

P.S. If there are any elves running around up there with nothing to do....can you please ask God to send them here for just 2 weeks. I could really use them, and would be ever grateful! xoxoxo

***Stop over at Pampering Beki's Blog to read other blogger's interpretations of FingerPrint Friday, that echos Stephen Curtis Chapman's song!***