Last day of 2006

This is Nixie and I at Avery Park, a year or more ago. I walk in this park every day, and never tire of it. The park is very damaged from a resent storm, numerous trees and power lines cover the roads, at the entrance a sign that says "Park Closed" blocks the road in. Traz and I walk around a fallen tree to enter and walk carefully dodging others on our walk. Today Lance and I walked both dogs there, just like we do every weekend morning. As we walked down from the upper part of the park we see a familiar person, Sol, an older man, in his upper 80's I believe he told Lance. I have seen him in the park for at least the past 5 years. The first time I saw him Shadow was still alive. We exchange pleasantries today, just like always, but of course wish one another happy new year. He, in is heavy accent (not sure what) says, I wish for you great prosperity in the new year. I said, its hard to walk in our park these days with all the trees down. His answer will stick with me always "yes, but at least the park is still here" I love that. Looking at life in a good way. The glass half full instead of half empty. In someways I think for him it partly meant "at least hes still here" at that age I doubt the days are taken for granted. My new years resolutions, to be kinder to people. To give more and expect less. To hug my dogs until they run away, ha ha ha. To make sure all the people in my family feel the love I have for them. To spend more time doing fun things with my husband and last but not least, to smile more often.

A Poem By Irving Townsend

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle easily and often breached. Unable to accept it's awful gaps, we would still live no other way. You cherish memory as the only certain immortality.

I close this year with wonderful memories, of dogs and people long gone, but not forgotten.

Family

This is my family, all the people I love in one room. Life was good on this day, Christmas 2005. A few days later life changed, and the year was full of change from that point on. I thank the powers that be to have the best sister anyone could ask for, she is my strength when I am weak and the one person that can make me laugh "through it all" I Love her more than words can say. I am thankful to have my youngest brother still on this earth, to love and hold for another holiday season. I am grateful my Dad is alive and doing well and a part of my life again, I hope he knows how much I love him, he's not easy to tell that too. My husband , it goes without saying, he is my life. My nephew and brother-in-law, very special people to me, again I hope they both know how much they mean to me, but I will try harder to show both how much I care, just to be sure they feel it..! Mom is gone. I see her in this picture and remember her pain. It's over now, that I am thankful for. I will miss her always and work very hard to only remember the great things about her, just as I hope people will do for me-about me when I'm no longer on this earth. This has been a year full of change, good and bad. I know longer have blond hair and LOVE my new reddish brown color, I didn't think I would. The dogs are healthy, enough, and happy and I can kiss them anytime I want too, I love that about dogs! The hugs and kisses!!! I am looking forward to Christmas with my family and know I will hold every moment and enjoy it as if it were our last. All things are possible if you believe!

Yikes....December Already

Nixie and Traz playing. This is when Nixie was a year old or so. She was very brave back then, fearless because she could flee! That's the way I saw it anyway. Now, Nixie acts like an old lady and Traz still acts like a puppy. I think its the biggest difference between the male and female GSD. Traz is the only male I've had, but all three females were mature at 2 years old. Traz is over 6 years old now and still frisky as a 6 month old. I love that about him. I love the way he throws his tail up in the air and just runs to run! Every Day! He and I have walked hundreds of miles together and no matter if its 100 degrees or below freezing, he just enjoys the time outside!