• Saw this on LinkedIn and it really hit me:
    In Memory of all those who went over the rainbow bridge. You all have a place forever in our hearts 💕
    They tell you not to cry.
    They tell you that it’s just a dog, not a human being.
    They tell you that the pain will be over.
    They tell you that the animals don’t know that they have to die.
    They tell you that it’s important not to let him suffer.
    They tell you that you can have another one.
    They tell you it’s going to happen to you.
    They tell you that there is more pain.
    But they don’t know how many times you’ve looked into your dog’s eyes.
    They don’t know how many times you and your dog have looked into darkness alone.
    They don’t know how many times your dog was the only one who was by your side.
    They don’t know how much fear you have
    at night when you wake up with your grief.
    They don’t know how many times your dog slept near you.
    They don’t know how much you’ve changed since the dog has become a part of your life.
    They don’t know how many times you hugged him when he was sick.
    They don’t know how many times you’ve acted like you didn’t see her hair getting whiter.
    They don’t know how many times you’ve talked to your dog, the only one who really hears.
    They don’t know that it was just your dog who knew you were in pain.
    They don’t know what it feels like to see your old dog trying to say hello.
    They don’t know that if things went wrong, the only one who didn’t go is your dog.
    They don’t know that your dog trusts you every moment of his life, even in the last.
    They don’t know how much your dog loved you and how it is enough for him to be happy, because you loved him.
    They don’t know that crying for a dog is one of the most noble, significant, true, clean and warmest things you can do.
    They don’t know when the last time you moved him with trouble… made sure it didn’t hurt him.
    They don’t know what it felt like to pet their face in the last moments of their life….
    Photo Travis Patenaude.
    – author Emanuele Spud Grandi
  • A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.

    Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

    The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

    Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

    Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

    Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her, “Who was that man?” he asked.

    The nurse was startled, “He was your father,” she answered.

    “No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”

    “Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”

    “I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His Son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this Gentleman’s Name? “

    The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, “Mr. William Grey………”

    The next time someone needs you … just be there

  • One year ago today, we lost my 92-year old father. My brother Bo sat my dad down in early July 2020 and recorded a video. He asked every relative in his family which question(s) they would like answered by my dad about his life. If you knew my dad, you’ll enjoy his responses and maybe be surprised by what he says. Here is the link to watch the 3-hour video with his answers and Thank You for being a part of his life!
    The West family.
     
  •  

    Today is the last day of my favorite month, September. That means it’s time to celebrate so I’ll share my absolute favorite music video of all time! It’s so epic! To prove my point, I’ll share a few of the many comments posted:
    • He can play the keyboards! He can sing! He can disco dance! He can summon squaws with his laugh! How can modern men measure up to this?“,
    • Many of us will leave this earth with little to show for our passing through, Tommy Seebach has this to be remembered by. I am green with envy“,
    • This is, without a doubt, among the coolest videos ever made! I mean, who is that guy? How can one man BE so groovy?
    Make sure you read the comments as you noticed earlier how
    spot-on they are!
    What would you say about this awesome, greatest-of-all-time music video? Please comment with your thoughts….