Remembering Tony

Yesterday marked the 3 year anniversary of my friend Tony Morin's departure from this world. I think of Tony often and I also think of all those who are clinging to life every day, whether it's a struggle with cancer, or like little 4 year old Preston Lloyd who is in dire need of a miracle from God after suffering from a freak accident with a lawn mower. Life is a gift and often times we are oblivious to that fact until it's either too late--like in Tony's case or until one hears those dreadful words of a serious illness.

Tony had an infectious laugh and he was a friend to me from the first day that we were introduced. I cannot begin to tell of the times that he helped me at work and came to my assistance when I was in a difficult situation. He never once was aggitated or angry with my screw-ups, just glad to help and always with a smile. That is a rare quality in a person these days, especially in a society that instructs to cover you own *ss and don't worry about the other guy.

Poor Tony was accident prone himself because he was forever getting cut or stapled or some kind of thing was going on with him...some of it could be that he worked so hard and so fast! Even in the winter when it would be cold, Tony would be sweating from his rapid pace! He did quality work too, which was impressive and a testament to his character as well!

I'm not going to speak about the why's and the what if's that could have saved Tony from his early departure, it would serve no purpose now and it could only bring myself more guilt for not trying to respond to his reaching out at a time that I didn't understand his deep dispair. Tony was a good guy and a great friend and I still love him and his memory and I look forward to seeing him again one day in heaven and renewing our friendship!

I remember once when his brother asked me to borrow a couple of dollars one day right before lunchtime and I told him that he was Tony's brother and he was gold! I meant it too...you're gold Tony! And I still miss you!!

Life is a gift!

It's A Wonderful Life

Is that what I'll write at the end of mine?? Every day of my life I am again reminded of how short life is and how brittle our health can be. Last week we had to take my Mom to the hospital because she had been sick and throwing up and just losing everything that she ate. This continued for a few days and she finally gave in to go to the emergency room, where they admitted her to the hospital for 'infection'. As it turned out, Dr. Stout called it a 'stomach virus' altho it could be that it was her gallbladder, which they determined, was full of gall stones. We went in on Wednseday and home on Friday but it took her several more days and is just now getting to feeling a bit better. And we are still looking at a possible surgery on her gall bladder in the near future.
And then this week, on Tuesday a friend who has been like a second Mother to me for many years, Mary Belle Mesiemore had to go to the hospital as well, ands they had to remove her gall bladder. It was a series of events that only our Father could have orchestrated for me to even be involved with. Mary Belle was suffering from low blood pressure and low blood sugar levels as well and it was a Blessing to get her admitted in to the hospital and get her some relief.
I guess that my reason for bringing this up is that we are absolutely dependent on our health and in many instances we are oblivious to what are usually facts on the matter. Health--good health--is the one thing that we humans seem to take for granted, much like life itself!
I am reminded every day of the joys and difficulties that we are constantly faced with every day, every breath! So many things in life are 'not fair'...so many situations that we endure are totally out of our hands--one example is the issues facing our country...the moral decline of our leaders, the issues facing the family, our world-view or lack-there-of...there was a time when we were a God-fearing nation and now we don't even acknowledge His presence at all in our government!
It IS a wonderful life, even with all it's ups and downs, twists and turns, highs and lows...it's what we make of it in all those times and how we act and react to situations and difficulties. I've heard it said that character in not made in the good times but during our bad times and how we respond to them!

A Dog's Life

We got Meggie in a funny way....we traded a cat for her! We had this kitten that we were going to take to the pet store that used to be on Hwy. 21 between Troutman and Statesville. When we went into the store they had this little puppy that was sooooooo cute....looked just like a small Britney Spaniel...brown and white...she was in a little cage and I got her out and was playing with her. (We had called before and they said that they would take the kitten).

We wound up bringing her home and Christening her "Meggie" ....after the girl in "The Thorn Birds" mini-series. Thus began life with a 'inside dog'....which Denise said we would never have but she soon fell in love with her and soon began the task of house-breaking her and getting her used to living in a kennel (at night).

She quickly became a part of the family and even traveled with us on a trip to the beach to stay a few days at a beachhouse with Chris & Regina and both of our families. (Never took a dog on vacation before....). I guess it was fitting considering that we got Meggie on Regina's birthday (July 13th) in 1996. Of course they, and everyone who ever met Meggie just fell in love with her and she seemed to love everyone too!

She got her name 'Fuzzy' from Josh (she looked like a little fuzz ball) and was just a part of the family. She would play with her toys and enjoy Christmas morning just like a person or a kid would...opening her present and ripping in to it!! She was always funny to watch when she would get one of her toys and shake it back and forth in her mouth like she was killing an enemy or something. We could have made some good $$$ had we video-taped her playing with them too!!

As she got older she lost her eyesight but not her zest for life until recently when she just got sluggish and she was hurting and didn't even want to get up or eat or move around at all. That dreadful day that you never want to realize came to pass yesterday as we had to have her put to sleep.

There'll never be another Meggie...she lived a good life and not necessarily a 'dog's life'. We'll miss you Meggie!!!

Play Ball!!!

Well, it's "that time" again, the time when you can smell it in the air: BASEBALL! What a longggg winter it has been since that last pitch made the Phillies World Champs last October! Now, all the teams start out even 0-0...expectations run high and all the teams think they have a chance for success! And in the end, only the elite will make the October dance!

I'm excited about the new season, altho I was given a sad blow a couple of weeks ago when my sister changed from Directv to Dish Network--a I LOST my beloved MLB Network! All Baseball-24/7! Well...easy come, easy go...at least there's still ESPN! ESPN's Baseball Tonite lasts for 1 hour, MLB's Baseball Tonite lasts for 6 hours!!!

But, my beloved Cardinals will start the season with Mr. Carpenter on the active roster and they have hopes of making the post season...the Red Sox look pretty strong again in the AL East...the Braves may be a couple of players away from contending with the powerful Mets and returning Phillies... but all-in-all it looks to be a GREAT season!! It'll be the first year in 20 seasons that the fantastic John Smoltz will not be with the Braves but he moves over to the Red Sox and hopes to make a June/July return to the mound!!

Hey--I'm even excited about the New Yankee Stadium--the one where a ticket will cost you more than most people's car payment! But a monster of a new park!!

You know, I am starting my 43rd Baseball Season as a fan--42 years of baseball memories--with many more from the past and those to be built this year as well!

LOVE me some baseball!!! If only I could see my Lou Brock start in left field one more time....:O)