Some Thanks and a Request

11. February 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Spirituality

While adjusting to a new member in our family, and the inevitable changes in lifestyle (I have to take him for a walk in the bitter cold at 10:30 at night… THAT is a big adjustment) life hasn’t been all fun and puppy kisses.

Many of those who get my updates are members of my family, and are intimately involved in what I’m about to write.  This post is for the 2/3s of my readers who are NOT family.

This week, our family is reeling from the news that one of my young nephews (I’m not naming him, as I don’t know if his family would want that disseminated) has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  The family is blessed to have several professionals in the health care profession, doctors, nurses, administrators.  These individuals have jumped to the plate, and are moving heaven and earth and the medical bureaucracy to get my nephew all the bestest of the bestest of care and treatment.  That’s what they do so well, among many other things.

I can’t be of any help to my cousin and her son (the nephew in question) when it comes to medical things.  I don’t know a tibia from a fibula… except I think they’re both bones.

So I do what I can.  I want to thank all of you who read this blog.  Specifically, I want to thank the Prayer Ministry of MCC Omaha, my local congregation.  I want to thank the Prayer Ministry team at Resurrection MCC in Houston, Texas.  And I want to thank all the Prayer Ministry people with Excel International de Colores, an International organization providing weekend spirituality courses, similar to retreats.  All of you who are praying for my nephew, your prayers mean more than I could possibly express.

And to those not in my family, and not in one of the aforementioned prayer ministries, please add “Eric’s Nephew and family” to your prayer list.  They need all the prayers they can get.  And while you’re at it, add the medical personnel overseeing his care.

Many thanks to all of you!

More on Our New Puppy

11. February 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Eric's Life, Pets, Ramblings

Okay, as I’ve said before, he’s not a puppy.  But it’s hard not to think of him as a puppy.  He’s got the most charming personality, and loves to give doggy kisses!

As I mentioned before, Gary wasn’t sure he liked the puppy’s name, and was considering changing it.  Monday, Gary says “I really don’t like calling him Buddy.  I can’t remember that!  Besides, it’s a dumb name for a dog.”

“Well, Gary, what do you want to call him?”  I’m thinking ‘Buddy’s a dumb name?  It’s one of the big 10 for dogs!’

“I’m thinking Pookie.”

I give Gary a stunned stare.  Surely he’s kidding!  Pookie?  POOKIE???? All I can think of is ‘talk about stupid dog names!’ (My apologies to anyone reading who may have named their dog Pookie.  It’s just stupid for US.  Really.)

“Uh, no.  We will NOT name this poor dog Pookie.”

“Okay, I guess you’re right.  We’ll keep it Buddy.”

And so it was done, I thought.  No name change for Buddy.  Tuesday, I tell one of my best friends “We have decided not to rename him.”  The chapter is closed.  The End has been posted to final page of the book.  It’s decided.

Tuesday afternoon, Gary says “I just can never remember Buddy’s name.  I want to change it.”

“Don’t EVEN mention the name Pookie.  It is NOT going to happen.”

“How about Buster?”

I like Buster.  It’s a good name, and it REALLY fits this puppy.  So, Buster it is.  Name change is now a fait accompli.  So, as promised consider this your Puppy Name Change Notification.  Pictures still pending!  In about 5 years when his dynamo runs down, and he’s calm, I’ll see if I can get one!

Oh, and poor Nikki. She just doesn’t know what to make of this interloper in her life.  I’ve been getting lots more cozy cuddly time from her.  She’ll come around!