 Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real
character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit
they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because
Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably,
someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim
would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure
would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his
finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in
the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told
her she was going to die of this disease; she was just sure it was
fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her
shoulders.
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with
Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although
the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and
through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't
understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her
sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had
anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took
Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just
drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived
home, Mary was so ex hausted she couldn't even make it up the steps
to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left
her to nap.
Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called.
It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary
woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She
couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic
soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was
covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!
While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to
the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in
life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again,
walk ing further and further together every night.
It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.
Lucky?
He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary
remains his greatest treasure.
Live everyday to the fullest. Remember it is a blessing from God.
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with
the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
.......They're the ones who care.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some
kind of battle."
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave
the rest to God. | |
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