September 10, 2016

The wolf will live with the lamb…, the calf and the lion and the [Chihuahua] together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6

I LOVE coming home.  Especially when my 5-year-old granddaughter, Miss Haley Renee Bell is the leader of the welcome committee!

Thursday night, Bill and Haley picked me up at the Amtrak station on my return home from New York on the train. I saw Haley standing in a chair, outside.  As I walk up, in the middle of my fellow travelers, Haley, still up on her perch, throws her arms open wide, and as I come in expecting a hug, she LOUDLY and happily greets me with this –

“Gi Gi ! GUESS WHAT?! YOUR DOG DIED”!

Now, I already knew Elsi took her ‘perma-sleep’ the day before, but Haley was quick to tell me how it would be OK – while Bill answered the obvious question of the man ahead of me, and others who heard and stopped. “Did your wife know?!” When Bill told him yes, he said that Haley’s delivery was the funniest thing he’s heard in a long time!

Here’s the Haley conversation.  “GiGi! Guess what?!  Your dog died!” I hugged her, but she wouldn’t get down off her perch. She continued, “It’s OK.  She’s in heaven with God and Jesus, and you can see her SOON”!   SCREECH…… my train of thought de-railed at that.  I said, “Haley, I hope it’s not really soon!” She replied, “Oh, not soon, GiGi, but you’re gonna see her again someday – AND she’s NOT peeing on your floor anymore!  Do you think she pees in heaven?  It’s OK, Jesus will clean it up”!

I hugged her down from her perch and we loaded the car.  On the way home, after discussing her new Kindergarten class she started this week, who was playing well together on the playground, and what left-over lunch snacks she wants to eat from her lunch box, she is obviously still thinking of Elsi and heaven, when she draws this parallel: “GiGi, Elsi is in heaven with Daniel and the Lion’s Den, and the lion might eat Elsi for a snack”!  I said, “I don’t think that would happen in heaven, Sweetie”.  And with a final “OK” from Miss “Haley-Bug”, the subject was put to rest….. peace on earth, for now, anyway.

The wolf will live with the lamb…, the calf and the lion and the [Chihuahua] together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6

Quick update on my battle – after the recurrence noted in July and changing the chemo and reusing the pump for chemo, we are happy to report some shrinkage of the new outer layer of growth, and NO new spots or metastasis!  Tumor markers are on the road back down, as well.  AND the “Because I Can, Sir” show did so well here in Richmond, we are doing it in NY for an “industry invited workshop” Oct. 2 to prepare for a big splash with it as a fundraiser for Metro Ministries and Dr. Kemeny’s Pump research fund at Sloan Kettering”, hopefully in Early March. I’ll keep you all ‘in the loop’ on upcoming dates.  We also are talking some about other locations. Let me know if you have a group that needs to hear the show.  Also, CDs have been sold out, reordered and a fresh supply will arrive next week of my “Down to the River” CD. If you’d like to order one – or more- email me.

Thank you ALL for your love and prayers.  I know I’d be “with Elsi, God and Jesus, and Daniel and the Lion’s Den” right now, if it weren’t for your love and support.

Love you all, Susan.