Meredith's Letter to Heaven

Meredith's Letter to Heaven | www.amalgamationspp.com

Since October 2006, this story came under a variety of titles, including "Going Postal," "Angels at the Post Office," "Angels Turn Up In Unexpected Places," and "This is a US Postal Service Story."

Some of you may know that our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month (8/23). The day after she died, 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.

She dictated and I wrote:

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and swim before she got sick. I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.

Love,
Meredith Claire

P.S.: Mommy wrote the words after Mer told them to her

We put that in an envelope with 2 pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Mer stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.

For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, for Labor Day, we took the kids to Austin to a natural history museum. When we got back, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said "To: Mer" in an unfamiliar hand.

Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, When a Pet Dies. Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope (which was marked 'Return to Sender: Insufficient address'). On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:

Dear Mer,

I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like she stays in your heart young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets! So I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.

One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps.

Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful 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 am in heaven and wherever there is love.

Love,
God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.

According to Cary Clack of the San Antonio Express News, the tale is real. In mid-August 2006, the San Antonio family of Greg and Joy Scrivener and their three children suffered the loss of Abbey, their 14-year-old black and white dog. Driven by concern for their pet's future welfare, 4-year-old Meredith, the Scriveners' middle child, dictated the note quoted above to her mother, then enclosed it and two photos of the family dog in an envelope addressed "To: God in Heaven." This envelope, bearing the family's return address, was dropped into a mailbox at the Brook Hollow post office.

Two weeks later, the Scriveners found on their front porch a package wrapped in gold-colored paper and addressed "To: Mer." In the parcel, along with the letter from "God" quoted above, was a book by Fred Rogers (of TV's Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood fame), When a Pet Dies (a book that "helps children share feelings of the loss of a pet while offering reassurance that grieving is a natural, healing thing to do").

According to her mother, Meredith was comforted by the book and letter and was unastounded that God saw fit to write back. "She wasn't surprised because she had such faith that her letter was going to get to God." (The oldest of the Scrivener children, 6-year-old Andy, was impressed. He "thought it was pretty special his sister got a book from the angel," says his mom.

While Mrs. Scrivener considered asking at the post office about the package, she decided against it. "I kind of like not knowing," she said. "I don't know who took the time to do it, but it was an angel. We all think about doing these things, but no one takes the time to do it."

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Appa's Crib

Appa

Appa has the kennel or canine cough for a week now. But I'm happy to notice he's not coughing and huffing as much anymore. It's disturbing to hear him wheeze, choke and cough but it's subsiding now and I'm glad. He's been restless lately, both I guess from not getting any exercise and how uncomfortable must he be being sick for the first time. I did not want to take him walking in the park while he's still sick.

I've been giving him more milk than usual and also adding some fruits in his regular meals and that seems to be working. I've also been giving him some chicken soup I make for myself every night these past cold nights. And so I think that's helping as well. He's playing with his toys again and is no longer lethargic, that's a good thing.

At almost 4 months, his weight is at 12 kilos and that kind of worries me. His crate, if you look at the picture measures 3.5ft. x 2.5ft. and now it looks ridiculously small with him in it. He's been able to jump over it a couple of times when I left the top door open. It's hard to imagine how he'll fit in there in the next few months. I'm worried about getting a bigger crate, bigger one means more difficult to clean and move around, not to mention outrageously expensive. I can fence him in for a bigger room but that's going to be outside of the house which is where I do not want to place him. I want him clean inside the house.

This video below is one I made three weeks ago, and the picture above is one I just took earlier. Compare his size!

He's just being silly and wanting to come out and play. =)

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Last Minutes with Oden

"Oden"
This documentary was about a former addict, Jason Wood, putting down his much loved pooch, Oden. This was his farewell documentary to his best furry friend. It's beautifully shot and pretty much impossible to watch and come out on the other side with dry eyes.

"He showed me through his example how to love..." "Your job here is done, champ."

These words came from knowing his little best friend has indeed changed his life. Is there anything more wrenching than having to put your bestfriend down? I was completely moved and my heart ached for Jason and his best friend Oden. Your job here is done, Oden. Rest in peace.

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Appa and His New Shirt

Yey! Got a video recording of me and Appa playing wearing his first shirt. This was actually my 4th grade Physical Education uniform I altered a bit to fit him. He likes it! =)

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Lilo and Stitch

Lilo and Stitch
I've come into terms that I'd get myself a pet. A puppy was what I really had in mind but guinea pigs have been a strong consideration because they are low maintenance and don't tend to be noisy.

So the other day, while in the mall, as usual I walked and stopped by the local pet store to play with the cute puppies for sale. When I moved by the area where they sell hamsters and rats, I was happy to see they also had guinea pigs this time. I rarely see them sell guinea pigs so I was excited.

I was smitten by their charm and playful disposition that I decided to adopt a pair immediately.

I had intentionally wanted to purchase a male and a female. But after close inspection when I got home, I was surprised to know both of them are females. "That's fine," I thought because I didn't want them getting plenty in a small room.

The black and white one is named, Lilo. She is the dominant female. The white brown and black is Stitch, she's the shy and silent one. The small wheel at the far end corner of the cage is their favorite place to sleep. And Lilo pushes Stitch away everytime she goes near, except when Lilo is distracted like for example here, during her eating time (which is all the time!)

They both love to eat carrots and some cabbages. Stitch doesn't like the pellets. Only Lilo eat those. But Lilo doesn't like to eat rice grains. Only Stitch eat those. Sometimes, I give them veggies, like in this photo tonight, I gave them carrots, cabbages and string beans.

I had positioned their cage on top of my table where I also have my laptop so I can watch over them when I'm on the computer working.

Shy Stitch, doesn't like the camera.

They are really adorable pets. When I hold them and pet them, gently touching the side of their bellies, they make a low and faint sound which I think means they like it, and they're happy. I leave them at home the entire day and when I come home, open the door and they hear me coming in, they make a louder squeeking sound like they are happy that I'm back home.

Lilo, eating like always.

Do you have a pet that makes you smile too?

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