E-mail awesomeness

I'm not really a fan of chain e-mail letters and such, but ones like this make my day. Take a quick read


 

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 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 swim and play with balls. 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. Mer-
edith 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 and I recognized her 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 won-
derful 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 

Never Forget

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it

- George Santayana

"I hope we're not trying to figure out who he is and more to figure out who we are through watching it"

I see this photo, as one of the most disturbing photographs of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I feel for every individual who lost their lives that day, and I pray they are with the Lord. However, I think this photo forces us to attempt to feel what must have been going through the hearts and heads of those lost on that day.

Thank you to the men and women who have protected our country, those who currently watch over and defend our freedom, and most importantly to those who gave their life in the name of freedom.

God Bless America

Media that moves me, If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away

The first time I heard this song, was on my Uncles Birthday. Ironic? Yes. Driving alone in my car coming from Tucson to Phx. [aka Tear City for Kelly in the car] And even more ironic, that night Nicki text me to ask if I was doing okay (which I immediately thought- how did she know I was crying?! but it was because she knew it was his birthday).



It makes me think, what is my version of the song?

I'd bring mom with me and have a girls day with her and my Nana. Afterwards we'd have some Pepsis with Aunt Peggy and Aunt Patty.
I would give my Uncle Eric the biggest hug and talk to him about graduation. and life. and everything. and maybe watch an episode of Doug.
Grandpa Bill and I would sing the oldest songs ever together.
Haley Ford and I would take a dance class with her mom watching by.
Great-a-moomoo (my great grandmother) would tell me stories of when my grandfather was younger.

Those are just a few things I would do if heaven wasn't so far away.

Looking at the bright side

So right now I am pretty much in a rut about some of the details in my life. Mainly the whole I completely changed what I want to do the rest of my life, and still don't 100% know what that is.

But I have something wonderful worth thinking about. [and subsequently lifting my spirits]

In the last 14 months I have purchased and paid off a car. But not just any car, my dream car. Chauncey. aanndd saved $1,800.

And how do I have that in the bank? [because I actually had to think about this] Well because it was for graduate school. But now it's part of my nest egg. For when I start the next big chapter in my life.

I'm pretty excited about it. But I have some people to thank that gave me the opportunity to save that up. Like scholarships and grants to get me through undergrad without loans. My grandfather for ADPi. My mom for providing me a loving place to live post grad. and the wonderful love of my life for spoiling me every now and then. --- Basically, I am so grateful for all I have been given.

But don't let that fool you- I've been workin hard too. I've worked since I was 14 and held up to 3 jobs at one time. And I'm grateful that God has given me the opportunity for that as well.

So I guess this is post is a reflection on how blessed I am- to have my friends, family, and most of all God, give me the opportunity to grow.

Crazy long self reflective post. Woahh.


What are you grateful for?

Two roads diverged in a wood

I have always been a planner of sorts [in that I plan everything and nothing deviates from said plan]

So that put me in quite a predicament when a thought popped into my head that I may no longer want to go to Pepperdine. 

I have a pros and cons list a mile long [can anyone say Type A?], and spent quite some time weighing my options.

I came down to this:

I know for sure that I can't afford Pepperdine without a huge loan &&& I don't know if I want to be a psychologist anymore.

Pretty huge reasons, right?

So after  very careful deliberating I have decided that, I will no longer be attending Pepperdine in the fall [and I am currently looking into deferring my acceptance- either way, I will not be there in the fall]

Wow. So that's the "big news" in my life. You may be wondering, so whats the plan [because there is always a plan]

I am going to use the next year to "find myself". There are a lot of venues I'm interested in, and I want to explore them all 

As you know, I've been dabbling in photography (just ordered some business cards) and you will also notice I have added and Event Planning to that blog title.

I am currently looking into event planning! I will be using the help of some friends (more specifically their moms) to network, I went to the Arizona Bridal Show today to meet some planners, you know. [side note- I was green with envy when I saw a million engagement rings- God help me with that envy, please]

Basically, I feel like my world is... upside down? I don't have a "plan" and I won't be in school. weird. I know this is the best decision for me at this time, but it still feels strange.

In close, join me on this adventure known as life. 

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference."

the plan.

So I have always been a believer of God has a plan, even if you can't see it.

Well after ADPi elections in September, I definitely couldn't see it. And even after I got on panhellenic I was still sore about not being able to live out my "dream."

But today I officially saw the light. Not being president has opened up so many other doors for me. Panhellenic is so much cooler than I thought it was going to be. I applied to be an orientation leader this summer. Im working 3 jobs (if you include panhellenic). and I joined Psi Chi (which I am now thinking of running to be the president in the fall).

And what is even better is I still have so much more time for the people who mean the most to me.

I now know that if I was president I wouldn't have any of the time for all these things and that there would have been a small chance that relationships I have with family, friends, and Dustin, would have had some strain put on them.

And what is even better about "seeing the light" is that I can finally let go of this resentment about the elections.

Thank God for this fabulous plan.

moving on.