Beau - our loving Beagle

Beau, our loving Beagle, came to us at eight weeks old, in late September 1995. My wife visited a farm in Kentucky where they had a new litter of Beagle pups. After this little one sat on her foot three times, she said he had claimed her. Of course, she brought him home.

We celebrated his birthday on August 1st for 15 years. We experienced uncountable hours and days of laughing, playing, chasing and snuggling with him. We have gone through trauma with him due to his excessive love of chocolate a couple of times, and his ability to reach it in unreachable places. We committed our last physical act of love to Beau on Friday, January 7, 2010. It seems impossible to grasp the fact that he is no longer with us. I can imagine the clicking of his toenails on the wooden floors and miss seeing him curled up in our closet floor, where he had made his bed for the past year. I miss rubbing the soft fur around his neck. His jumping and running days had diminished rapidly, but his love for us, and our love for him, never diminished. In fact, it is the finest part of him that will live forever.
I found this “letter” – “A Dog’s Plea” – and found comfort in it yesterday, while Beau was still with us. Read it in loving memory of Beau.

A Dog’s Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I may stay well and romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going; I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Inspired by grandchildren

Today is Grace's 5th birthday.  We will celebrate with a party later today.  She and Isa were born about two months apart, Isa being the oldest.  Justus was already 5 when they came along, and was well on his way in the wisdoms of this world.  After Isa's birth, and with the approaching birth of Grace, I wrote an Advent devotion, which I can't find at the moment.  I'll post it here later.  Happy Birthday Grace!

Solomon

Our newest grandson, Solomon, entered this world on August 3.  He's truly a bundle of laughter and joy.  Although he's only 5 months old, he looks like he's ready to sign on for the Chicago Bears (for you Chad), but first he'll need to play for the Auburn Tigers (National Champs after they beat Oregon).  Well, away from football, and back to Solomon. 

Here's a "Blessing" I wrote for a blessing ceremony we had before his birth last summer:

A Blessing (June 19, 2010)
Our Christian scriptures tell us that, as a child, Jesus grew

Mentally,

Physically,

Spiritually,

Socially.

We also know of a great host of witnesses to this event. On behalf of my parents and grandparents, I offer these blessings for Solomon, which together become a family prayer for his balanced growth.
Receive these blessings:
From my Daddy, Everett Verrel Wofford:
Stay so close to Jesus, that you can hear His faintest whisper.

From my mother, Gladys Lucille Stamps Wofford Norman:
You don’t have to know all the answers; just know where to find them.
From my stepfather, who was a real Daddy to me, Wallace Campbell Norman, receive this tribute to him by those who had known him for a lifetime, and may it be true of you:
He had no enemies.
From my stepmother, Myrtis Stone Norman:
Be a servant to others.
From my paternal grandfather, Ulus Grady Wofford (we called him Daddy Wofford):
Work hard and enjoy your leisure.
From my paternal grandmother, Audrey Williams Wofford:
Expect God to say “yes” to your prayers. (This is true of others too.)
From my maternal grandfather, L. W. Stamps (we called him Big Daddy Stamps):

Quietly walk away from meaningless conflicts. Make friends daily.

From my maternal grandmother, Maggie Wolfe Stamps:

Be creative and love nature.
From my stepfather’s mother, my Grandmother Norman, Hilda Campbell Norman, who left Indianapolis at age 17 to marry an Alabama steel worker:

Never forget the years of your youth. Live rich.
From my stepfather’s Dad, (also called Big Daddy), Jefferson Davis Norman, Jr., who raised three great sons, Wallace, John and Jeff, who all continued to carry out this blessing:

Family is important.
In all of these, large amounts of love are found, enriching the blessing of family and eternal love.