• You can’t spend a day without her/him
• You need to talk at least 5 times a day
• She/he pops into your thoughts multiple times throughout the day… and you smile
• You miss each other even though it’s only been an hour
• Staying in on a Friday night to watch a movie together makes you the happiest person on Earth
• You are out with your friends and you want to text your significant other that you love her/him
• You send a random e-mail to her/him knowing she/he will read it in the morning and it will make her/him smile
• Send flowers for no significant reason… you do it just because
• You miss each other even though it’s only been a few minutes and she/he is in the other room
• When your phone goes off and you see it’s her/him, you smile and can’t wait to pick it up or answer that text message

09/26/09 – Happy Birthday my love

Corinthians 13
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Read that over and over and when you’re finished, read it again. What does it tell you? How does it make you feel? Every time I read that passage I feel uplifted.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, 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 she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then 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:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.  Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I’m easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

It’s people like that who make a difference in the world. There was someone at the post office working in the dead letter office that came across this and decided to touch the life of another.

No matter what the outcome is, it’s the thought that counts.

They finished what they had to say and you’re sitting there clueless. All you can come up with is “Cool”. That should cover your butt, right? But what if the person you’re talking with just explained how their family member is sick in the hospital? You just said “Cool”. Smooth move. If you’re not in the mood to have a discussion, then tell them.

Listening in relationships is extremely important. I’m going to use my personal experiences as an example. When my girlfriend and I have conversations, I make sure I engage in them. I don’t just listen, I want to hear. I’m genuinely interested in what she has to say.

On many occasions it has come up when I recalled a specific date and she was surprised that I remembered. How did I remember? I listened wanted to hear.

People, especially women, will know when you’re really listening and when you’re not. The only reason why I know this is because my significant other always tells me she’s surprised I remembered what she said last week. Actually, at this point she’s becoming accustomed to the fact that I can remember so when I slip up on occasion she let’s me know.

Just remember this, listening is wanting to hear.

Jealousy doesn’t necessarily apply to our significant others, it also applies to family. If your kindergartner comes home telling you how much she loves her teacher, you get jealous. Your mother tells your other sibling how proud she is of them, you get jealous. Your friend recently got promoted in their job, you get jealous. Now on to your partner. He/she thinks a celebrity is attractive, you get jealous.

Some of you may think jealousy is a sign of strength towards your relationship when in fact it’s a sign of weakness and insecurity.  If you know that your partner, child, and parent loves you, there’s no need to get jealous.

When you get feelings of jealousy, don’t make the other party suffer from it. Instead, realize what you’re doing and take control. You know they love you, so put your trust in that love. Love… it’s a powerful thing.

Jealousy is the only vice that gives no pleasure.
~Anonymous

At first it wasn’t so bad and I believe it was because we were still getting to know one another. Granted it’s only been 6 months, but in that short amount of time we got really close and fell in love. We’ve been to Disney World, Universal Studios and enjoyed the night life together. We’ve also enjoyed quiet times and the simple things like movies and walks.

So how have we made our long distance relationship work? We do things together and defy the distance. As a long distance couple, it’s important to do other things together besides the usual phone call. People in short-distance relationships do not spend the majority of their time talking, but rather doing things with each other. Try to replicate this by finding things to do together such as watching a TV show or movie simultaneously.

Trust. You are going to have to trust each other completely if this relationship is going to work. Don’t poison it with jealousy and drama. When you call her/him and they don’t get back to you right away, don’t go crazy. Stay calm. Trust, remember? They will get back to you when they can. Don’t feel the need to interrogate your partner if they go out for a drink with friends you don’t know.

Talk about the future. We discuss our future together on a daily basis. When will we finally get to spend every day together? When that time comes, how will we do it? We look at homes together online. We each have our own taste in decor and finding that medium is key.

Communication. Communication. Communication. I can’t stress this enough. Communication!! If you have something on your mind, COMMUNICATE IT WITH YOUR PARTNER. Don’t let it build up inside. It will cause you to push away from them. And keep an open mind when your partner wants to discuss something with you. Remember, they love you and want to talk it out because of that.

I also find that if you show love, you will get love in return. Send flowers or a gift on a random day. Don’t wait for a special occasion.

For a list of fun things long distance couples can do, click here.

The heavily armed shooter, Michael McLendon, took his own life after a 30-mile rampage across two counties. Among those he killed were his grandmother, uncle, niece and cousin. Police also suspect he burned down his mother’s house with her inside.

I’ve known Michael all of my life. As a matter of fact, I coached him along with my two sons in T-ball and Little League. If you would of asked me two days ago if he was capable of this, I would have said certainly not. ~ Samson Mayor Clay King

There was a photo posted of the mourning family members. Situtations like these make you realize how important it is to appreciate those you love. We all have busy lives and there is not enough time in the day to make time for everyone; however, take time today to reach out to that person you haven’t talked to in a while.

E-mail makes it easier for us to reach out to them. Think of someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and send them an e-mail. How are they doing? What have they been up to lately?

Never take for granted the fact that your loved ones are around you. Make dinner plans or schedule a lunch date. Friendship and family are priceless.

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.

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!

As the man approached he began a conversation with a shy hello and commented to me how beautiful the weather was.  I asked him if he found anything of interest with his metal detector.  He said, “Nah, my daughter gave me this to me keep me busy after my wife died last year.”  I replied, “I’m sorry.”

The elderly man looked out at the ocean to avoid eye contact and said ,”Yes, we were married 50 years.”  I commented that nowadays that doesn’t happen often.  He said “Well yea, she was the love of my life.”  I could tell he was becoming upset by sharing this information.  I replied “She was very lucky to have had you.”  He replied “She still has me.”   At this point he politely ended the conversation and walked off with his metal detector.

I thought how amazing this man was to have shared his feelings with a perfect stranger on the beach.  A chance meeting… probably not.  Sharing energy can come at the most unexpected times with someone you may not have expected to connect with. I learned that positive energy can attract anyone at the most unexpected moments.  I am open and receptive to others.   That feels good!

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars….the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile…
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?

How do you plan on spending your dash?