[Faith-talk] Six months of anguish but a sense of optimism

[Sheila Leigland]

Sounds like you have had a tough year and my hosband and I will keep you in our prayers. Would you like to have another guide dog? If so we will pray that the Lord will open those doors.

Sheila Leigland

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Calhoun <eric at pmpmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 10:43 AM
To: faith-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Faith-talk] Six months of anguish but a sense of optimism

Hello, listers, this will be somewhat lengthy, so if I could have your
attention, please:

The last 6 months of 2011 have been hell for me, not because of myself,
but because of 6 people, the last of which died last Saturday, Tracy Root. 
I live in an area where it is less than modest.  I cannot get a guide dog. 
Period.  But the last dog, a German shepherd, was my friend and guide. 
What I could say about Brownie was: He was smart.  He knew me very well. 
And, for the last 5 years, he was the sweetest, smartest dog I knew.  When
I lost my dog in 2007, Brownie was there to cheer me up.  My dog was stolen
from me, because of jealousy and gossip.  God showed me Brownie, a
neighbor's dog from down the street.  Brownie was everything--a great
cuddler, a great listener, a great communicator, a great friend.  ...  ... 


But on September 30, Brownie could not defend his house or his yard any
longer.  He succumbed to poisoning, either by killing pigeons, or by a
poisonous spider bite.  The Intelligent Brown Man knew the end was near,
and took the time to say goodbye.

A lady who I met at the Black Radio Exclusive, (BRE) Convention,
recording artist Vesta Williams, died on September 20.  She was a great
singer, with hits like "Sweet, Sweet Love," and "Congratulations!" among
others.

Two others, Lady Venus, (Jenina Celeste) and Gadget Girl, (or Virgie)
always made great impressions on my life and the lives of others.  They
will be sorely missed.

And then?

..

..

In late late July, as I was dining at a restaurant at Baker's Drive Thru
Restaurant, I found a coworker crying uncontrollably, very close to my
heart.  I am close to the Baker family, who have restaurants in San
Bernardino and Riverside Counties, so when I found out that a coworker in
the Fontana restaurant was crying, I knew why.  Her coworker died.  Both of
us, as well as the people in Fontana, took it very hard.

But I've come up with a sense of optimism.  Though Brownie is gone, a new
German shepherd will be on her way.  My hope that Misty, the German
shepherd, will get us laughing and playing with her, and that she'll guard
her house and yard with determination.

The Lord is also teaching me to be thankful for the friends I have, both
blind and sighted.  I need your prayers, as I'm trying to close out my year
in style knowing that 2012 will be an even better year.

For the record, we're getting Misty from the Humane Society shelter here
in Los Angeles.

Soon.

Eric
..

Eric from Los Angeles.  I'm a dog lover, great listener, and sports
enthusiast.  I am on Facebook, under eric at pmpmail.com.  Happy Holidays from
the baseball list!  Want to subscribe?  Put in the subject line, "Eric, I
would love to subscribe to the baseball list."  Thank you!