Sammy the Cat

 My pets become like family members. I talk to them, play with them, teach them and discipline, similar to a child.

I become emotionally attached to them and still grieve over some that have passed.

What is it about pets that make us never give up hope when they are lost?

There is a cat in our area who is somewhat famous or at least recognizable. No, he didn’t do anything heroic, nor does he perform fantastic tricks (that I am aware of anyway).

I see him on my way to work all the time. 

A family in our area has been looking for Sammy the Cat for quite some time. At first I just saw flyers on telephone poles asking for his return. Then I started spotting ads in the classified section of our newspaper including his picture.

Billboards have popped up all over our area with his picture and a reward being offered if he is found. It started out at $1000.00 and is now up to $3000.00. That’s a lot of money!! That is not to say that this is what his owners think is he is worth. Considering all the advertising they have done to find Sammy, it appears he is worth more than money to them.

There was a segment on our local news about Sammy, an article in our local newspaper, and even commercials asking us to find Sammy.
 

Where is Sammy? His website findsammy.com says he has been seen. How long ago? Are there still sightings of him?
 

Is he such a special cat that someone would keep him for such a long time from a family so obviously heartbroken over his loss?

Is Sammy in another world, possibly the victim of eating poison, meeting his Maker by the squeal of a tire, or did some other animal get him?

Or could Sammy still be out there, fending for himself all this time? 

Obviously, his owners still believe he is alive and nearby. I hope they find him soon.

A Letter to Austin

Austin, my youngest grandson, had a difficult time at Christmas last month. His innocence was so sincere, yet his buddies planted doubt and it was shattered for him and our family. When he said to me, “Your youngest grandson is no longer a little boy, I felt great sadness. My answer to him was, “I still believe."

 

Dear Austin,

You asked me a question, a very important one. 

Do you believe?

In Santa Claus? In Christmas? Happy childhoods?

I remember being an excited child at Christmas. I would hear the tinkling clanging bells from Santa’s sleigh as I lay in my bed, waiting for any signs of his arrival. I wondered how he didn’t get burned coming down our chimney and landing in our furnace, for we had no fireplace. I believed somehow he did it, how I will never know.

I believe Christmas is a magical time of year. We wait expectedly every Christmas Eve for the joy and wonderment it brings. I believe we are supposed to believe,

          in Christ’s birth

          in His love for us

          in children’s imagination

          in the joy of Christmas

          in true love

          in families

          in giving and taking

I believe in the seasons coming and going over and over every year without fail.

I believe we should allow ourselves and our children the freedom of mind to envision miraculous things and places, to visualize them, feel them, and let the excitement of these imaginings grow.

I believe the world is full of good people who care deeply about each other and appreciate the comfort of having each other near.

God tells us to believe in Him, in the Christmas Story which will forever be true. I know you believe too, Austin.

Most of us have believed in Santa and his powers and it is a wonderful, exciting, happy time for us, as children and adults. Children making lists, having trouble sleeping, counting the days - the happiness and excitement of these children makes adults believe too.

Yes, Austin, I believe. I hope you always do too.

Just One More Time

My grandson is a special person. I know, we all think that about our kids and grandkids. But he is. I even nicknamed him “Special A” several years ago.

Aaron is a sensitive, caring young man, now 13, who worries about people and events around him. He has a special way about him and it shows.

His belief in God is evident. His goodness and sweetness comes through each day. Quiet by nature, he is a thinker, a philosopher, and a gentle hearted boy.

Before Christmas, his guitar teacher helped him learn several Christmas tunes to play for both sides of his family at each family celebration on Christmas Eve. This is the second year he has done this. Both times he did well and made us all proud of him and his abilities.

Last year, he had a college student teaching him. Right after Christmas, Aaron found out Nate would not be able to continue as his teacher.

Along came a little bit older man named Joe. He and Aaron hit it off and Aaron enjoyed his lessons and new teacher. I saw a big improvement in Aaron’s talent. The songs he played on Christmas Eve were more difficult than last year. Aaron exhibited more confidence.

Once again, Aaron looked forward to telling his instructor about his family performance. He was proud of himself and rightfully so.

Due to the holidays, Aaron’s first lesson of 2015 was to be last night, Thursday, Jan. 8.

But once again, he won’t be able to tell his teacher how things went. You see, Joe died unexpectedly of an aneurysm on Sunday.

Yesterday Aaron was home from school due to the cold weather. He said he is so sad and just keeps waiting to go to his lesson to have fun with Joe. He said, “I keep wishing I could tell him about the Christmas concert. I just wish I could have had one more lesson with him.”

Aaron told me Joe always had a positive attitude and Joe believed he  could be really good. He says he will always remember Joe.

Aaron is inspired to prove Joe right and says he is going to try his best.

 

“Joe, if you can see this, I want to thank you for being a good influence in my grandson’s life.

Thank you for believing in Aaron. You are right – Aaron does have the ability to be really good.

And one more thing, Joe – Aaron gave a GREAT Christmas Concert in 2014.”