LUCKY

URBAN GEOCACHERPRACTICING STEALTH...

LEAD DOG HID A CACHE NEAR ABANDONED BRIDGE ABUTTMENTS ON WABASH RIVER...

JUNIOR FINDS AN EARTHCACHE...

PATRICK HIDES A CACHE NEAR AN ABANDONED ABUTTMENT OVER THE SALAMONIE RIVER...

PERILOUS POOCH

It is 5:48 a.m. and 72.7 degrees, with a cool breeze blowing. Patrick got up and tore down the stairs to go back to sleep with Junior. FROM KAY VIA EMAIL:

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
>>>>t he
>>>>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 Ma ry 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 exhausted 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 w ay 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, walking further and further together every
>>>>night. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.
>>>>
>>>>Isn't that a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ?? Just when we think
>>>>things
>>>>are at their worst, He covers us with Love, giving us the strength and
>>>>courage we need to forge ahead.
& gt;>>>
>>>>Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but
>>>>Mary
>>>>remains his greatest treasure.
>>>>
>>>>Live everyday to the fullest.
>>>>
>>>>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 are the ones
>>>>that care.
>>>>
>>>>Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of
>>>>battle."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs
>>>>3:6 GO GATORS!!