Dear Reader:

A survey, once, was taken… asking pet owners for their number one reason for wanting a pet… the most popular answer was: “I want someone to be excited to see me come home each day.”

Isn’t it comforting to know that there is someone waiting patiently each day for our return… which, reciprocally, turns out to be the highlight of their day?

In Tommy’s and Kaitlyn’s case…two happy dogs in waiting…Atticus and Rudy…for both of them to return home.

 I told Mandy and John that I would check on Tigger while they were gone since he had a new sitter… (who would just be in and out to feed him and let him out.)

So after my physical therapy treatment, yesterday, I headed Tigger’s way. He was fine and so excited to see me….jumping up to kiss me over and over…but, then, quickly he grew quiet again when he realized that the rest of the family wasn’t with me.

 He brought his best friend, Tiger, over to me and I held him and Tiger…he just wanted some loving…but soon returned to his waiting perch at  the end of the sofa to listen to see if heard love returning… in the form of his family… always patiently waiting.

  When Donna and Sam Clark first went to St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope they stopped by to see me upon their return. Donna gave me the (title) picture of the slanted cross and its message: Fear Not Tomorrow: Jesus is Already There. I keep the framed photo right over my computer to remind myself daily of this message. *( Such a good looking family!)

When I saw the actual cross and message for the first time in 2010 at St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope…I felt such a sense of relief…no matter what happened to me…with “little c”… I knew Someone was patiently waiting for me to finish my ‘day’s work’ here on earth.

(I’m not sure Christ’s “tail” will be wagging in excitement but I think I will feel the pure joy of being home with the ‘bearer’ of unconditional love.) Thank you again Clarks for the treasured photo. Happy Thanksgiving!

If we are really lucky…every family will be blessed to have the “waiter“…the ‘go to” person who is always there for us. In the Dingle family it was Miriam (“Dee Dee”) Dingle…the ‘mostest, bestest, grandmother’ in the world to my children and my nieces and nephews!

I could always count on Dee Dee to be home if I needed her (I can count the number of times I missed not seeing her on the fingers of two hands) over decades of time.

*My brother Ben was leaving when I got to this part of the blog yesterday…I stopped to tell him how I don’t think I would have made it without Dee Dee’s unconditional love and support. Always there for me…patiently guiding me.

He replied, “Blessed are the steadfast.” (Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial/James 1:12) Ben commented that these steadfast people… who become the “anchors” in our lives…the ‘stay home/go to‘  people usually never fully realize their utmost importance to the rest of the family or friends during their lifetime.

All they see are the busy, exciting lives of others traveling, experiencing new worlds (personally and professionally)..while they remain planted in one place.

And it isn’t until these “anchors” are gone that we, too, fully realize their importance in our own lives…they ‘centered’ our lives by loving us unconditionally and cementing stability in our busy lives… Always faithfully waiting for the next visit…

So until tomorrow…as the Advent season returns…let us pause from our busy lives and thank the “anchors” for centering us… thank the ones who remain ‘steadfast, loyal, and true so we can live our lives through and through.’  And then remember the one “Anchor” who waits for us….patiently and lovingly…saying “Fear not tomorrow…I am already there.”

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

We had several “Turkey” Thanksgiving birthdays around the holiday….a belated shout out to: Susan Cadwell, Carrie and Catherine Simpson, and Whitney Temple. So much going on…they about slipped by me. Happy Birthday Everyone! Gobble, gobble, gobble!

I gotta do it readers….for just one day! Cuteness always wins out over rivalry!

GO TIGERS! 

T –    

I –      

G –    

E-          

R –         

S –       !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck Everyone! (But come on now…we have been “patient” and “waiting”……………..)