Those of you who know me well know that on May 6, 2012 I lost my precious sister to breast cancer, she was a fighter and survivor. She had survived one bout of breast cancer and was a survivor for 5 years until the cancer returned with a fury and after an 18 month fight, cancer took her from us, twelve days before her fiftieth fifth birthday. In addition to that, on May 9, 2012 I lost my heart dog, my best friend, my Sunny. One day after his ninth birthday. He had pancreatitus and went downhill very quickly. He lost about 15 pounds and was a skeleton of his former self. I was talking to God and asked him to take him quickly if he can't be healed. About 10 seconds after that, he died from a massive heart attack, he didn't suffer but it damn near killed me.
I have so many good memories of them both. It's time to celebrate their lives and take a break from crying.
On May 8, 2003 a Dal puppy came skidding into life and never stopped. Thanks to Rosie Branaman and Julia Soukup my Sunny Bunny came to brighten up my life. What a character. Someone once told him that it was a good thing that I loved him because he was so obnoxious that no one else could stand him. He was a pistol and a goober. He loved to show and if you said "show" to him he would knock you down to get to the van. Sunny has a stubborn streak in him a mile wide. He didn't really care if I got mad at him, he was going to do what he wanted first. After he got done doing whatever it was he would come to me and give me that big ole' Sunny smile and he knew I couldn't resist. Sunny was with me through a lot of hard times but he could always make me smile. He never met a stranger and just assumed that everybody needed big sloppy Sunny kisses and wanted him in their lap. Big old 65 pound goofball. He was an AKC champion, leader of our pack, a father to many beautiful dogs and Lotto's mate and best friend. He was also a large part of my heart and soul. He left a huge hole in me and slowly I am filling it with memories and new experiences with his kids. Sunny left four of his kids with me and I see him in them all. He was too young to go and I will always love him and miss him. Go with God Sunny, you know that he has a special place in his heart for spotted dogs.
On May 18, 1957 my baby sister Mary Lou entered this world and my life changed for the better. She was a beautiful baby, but a rotten little kid. She was one of my best friends and a kindred spirit. She was a sister, daughter, wife, mother and grandma. She took on the job of taking care of every one in her life. We shared a lot of memories some of which I've shared with you and a lot more that we only shared with each other. We planned to grow old together, but I guess God had other plans. One time before she got so sick and weak, I told her "Don't leave me here with all these assholes" and she said she wouldn't. She has kept her promise because I feel her around me and I feel her love. Mary Lou, I miss you so much my life has another big hole in it. I got to talk to her by phone the day before she died. I got to tell her how much I loved her and what she has meant to me. I did not go to the funeral in Virginia, I told my brother-in-law that I wasn't coming, I saw pictures of her in the hospital and I didn't want that to be my last memory of her. I think that my brother-in-law Jerry understood and I know that Mary Lou did and I'm sure there are others who will criticize me, but, they need to take a walk in my shoes. As a memorial to my sister, my cover page on facebook is one of my favorite pictures of her.
What I want to say in conclusion is that I wait for the day when we'll be together again, I'll see you at the bridge......
