Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Love is shown in many different ways!

"Lucky in Love..."

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. "If I die, Lucky will be abandoned," Mary thought. "He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him."

The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box, but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget -- the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.


Today is our oldest daughter's sons birthday. Alex turns 16. I remember well the night he was born. Hard to believe he will be driving soon, because he still seems like a little boy to me, even though he must be about 6 feet 2 inches by now.
This was taken last year on his 15th. Birthday.
Click to make larger.

11 comments:

Gigi Ann said...

What a lovely story. Our pets are amazing sometimes...You just gotta love them.

We also have a 15 year old over 6 foot grandson. I wonder if it is the water? Hee, hee.

Anonymous said...

Love the story! And Happy Birthday to Alex. Nice photo. Handsome and tall!

Best,
Paz

Jack and Joann said...

Hi there! Just came in from watering my plants. I can't remember getting a decent rain here in Virginia since July. Sure hope the rain heads east after it visits you. We sure need it.

And Happy Birthday to Alex. He reminds me of Tim Russert's son in the face and in the build. Hope he has a great day.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Sweet story!

Your grandson is a handsome dude! Happy Birthday, Alex!

Wanda said...

Wonderful picture of the three of you...He is tall.... my grandson Marc will be 17 in Oct, and already over 6 feet.....I can see you and I are "short" grandmas.

BTW Patty ~~ I tried to answer your question about why my Dad shot Sambo on my post in the comments.

The Mulligan Family said...

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. And, a wonderful Happy Birthday to Alex.

Shionge said...

Very touching story and yes live life to the fullest and so lucky to have Lucky :D

Happy Birthday to Alex, he is really tall ;)

Renie Burghardt said...

What an inspiring story!

And happy birthday to Alex! What a handsome young man. And his grandma ain't bad herself!

Good night, Patty.

Renie

Tomate Farcie said...

First things first: Happy b'day Alex!

Thank you for this beautiful heart-warming story!

Melinda said...

yep I can remember him being born too.....in fact Becky and I watched it all! THAT was something to see let me tell you!

Nancy said...

What a heartwarming story! And Happy Birthday to Alex!!! He IS a tall young man, isn't he? Good looking boy!!! Good looking Mom and Grandma, too!!! These kids grow up too fast, don't they?!!

(((((( HUGS ))))))