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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>Hi everyone --</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I just wanted to tell you again (and again and again and
again, if I could) how much the protective embrace of your love has comforted
and protected me these last few weeks. You are my family, and I don't know
how I would have been able to get through this long, scary, painful journey
without you.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I'm sorry I haven't been able to write to each of you yet, to
thank you personally for every e-mail, card, note, present, and prayer that you
so generously sent </FONT><FONT size=2>my way. I'm having some trouble
writing -- it will be okay (it had better be okay, since I'm a writer!) --
the neurosurgeon says that it will just take some time before I can
do it on my own -- so for now a friend is helping me put my words down here
in e-mail. When I can do it myself, I'll write more (there will be no
stopping me).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I thought you'd all enjoy this story. I can't get up, so
the visiting nurses have set up a bed for me downstairs and I've left my front
door unlocked (if neither a brain tumor nor brain surgery can do me in, I'm
hardly scared of a home invader) with a note out front saying "can't get up --
please just ring the bell and walk in." So yesterday afternoon I heard a
bell and saw a big old dude filling up the whole doorway. "I'm Joe,
the florist," he bellowed, seeming embarrassed to death, then so solicitous when
he saw my head. He placed the flowers just where they were perfect for me
to see catching the sun from the window. And you know who they were
from? Patti Pike and Miss Bella, my Secret Pawtners from last year!
Wasn't that the sweetest, most loving thing for them to do?! (And it gave
a story for Joe to tell his buddies.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Another favorite, favorite package I received is an incredible
treasure from Karen Muchmore. She packaged up and sent me ALL of last
year's (2010) howliday cards! She must know me so well, because that is so
exactly what I adore and cherish and have spent so much time with. I have
special glasses that are helping the transition from surgery, and they're
perfect for focusing in on every glorious big old face.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>BUT -- I wish I had an answer for my mystery ... just before I
went in the hospital, I received an enormous, generous, great fun surprise gift
box from ABC Slobber Shoppe! All it said inside was "Merry Christmas,"
with no clue as to who my Secret Santa Paws might be. I wrote to ABC and
asked for any hints, and they won't give me anything, so I have no idea which
loving Daily Drool "relative" I can thank! It was filled with things I
love -- including some that came right to the hospital with me, like cozy warm
basset sleep socks </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>(with the rubber on the bottom so I wouldn't slip as I was
getting used to walking again).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>And another really special story for you -- my favorite item
out of this ABC box was something I adored as soon as I lay eyes on it -- a
shiny siilvery basset key chain with cute little charms -- a basset, a food
bowl, a bone, etc. You know how sometimes something hits you as absolutely
perfect? That was this, for me. That day when I reported for surgery
I was beyond terrified, but I kept the key chain hidden in my hand, the ring
around my thumb, holding tight tight tight onto it. When they came to
wheel me into the o.r. (hello, doctors? it would be really nice if you
KNOCKED OUT YOUR PATIENTS before wheeling them in!), they spotted it, and I was
sure they'd take it away, but they were so nice, a nurse carefully taped it
inside my hospital bracelet, so when I woke up the next day in ICU, there it
was, still comforting me.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>(This is Beth's friend writing now -- it's taken us over an
hour to get this much done and she's fallen asleep, so I'm just going to send
this off, I have to leave and she was so eager to get it to you today.
>From all of her "local" friends, thanks to every one of you for everything
you've done for her. We feel like we know a lot of you, and it's wonderful
to see the joy your love brings to her.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Love,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Beth H. (Duchess ATB and Blueberry ATB)</FONT></DIV>
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