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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>Hi everybody -- </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>On this Thanksgiving Day (go, Patriots!), there's so much that I give
thanks for. Especially that this year is ending so much better than it
began! I'm thankful for extraordinary, committed, caring (and
one really cute) doctors who have taken me through two surgeries and
endless treatments. I'm thankful for the miracle of healing, and for chemo
which finally seems to be working (yay). I'm thankful that each day is
better than the last, and that although it's a long road, I know that 2013
will be better still.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>And, personally, I am so speechlessly, tears-in-the-eyes grateful for
you, my Daily Drool family. I cannot tell you how much your love,
thoughtfulness, and support have meant as I have traveled this unimaginable
road. The Drool has been part of my life for more than 15 years now -- I
was one of the original Droolers when Nancy started this ages ago, when she
still had her glorious Caruso, and I had my dear, goofy, snow-eating,
Oreo-chomping. mooing Duchess. I love having Drooler
friends, and I cherish those friendships.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>And I cherish each one of you. Last December was the worst
month of my medical saga -- at Thanksgiving they told me I had a brain tumor,
and the next month was a blur of tests, treatments, consultations, etc. leading
up to the surgery itself on December 28th. I was at the hospital almost
every day. And when I came home, exhausted and scared, what greeted
me? Drooler howliday cards! Dearest Amanda had put me on the Heroes
list, and to my utter surprise I was overwhelmed by cards every single
day.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>I can't tell you how much that meant. How the thoughtfulness
moved me to tears; and how all of those sweet, goofy, precious faces made me
laugh. Day by day, they got me through that darkest month -- and also
through this whole year, because I kept every one and looked at them over
and over and over, taping them all over my wall so as I recovered from my
surgeries, I basked in the embrace of your love.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>And the e-mails and the presents! Each one so special,
treasured not only for what they were themselves, but how they reflected your
love. Thank you to all of you -- you'll never know how healing and
strengthening they were, how they lit my darkness with the hope and cheer and
optimism of friendship. They still surround me, and even now on the
current difficult days of chemo, or discouraging appointments, I find comfort
and solace in them. (And some of them -- the tiny stuffed basset; the
little basset keyring that fits over my thumb so I can hold the figurine in my
hand; the basset angel charm -- come with me to treatments and procedures,
and especially through the dreaded MRIs!)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>And then a boost of more surprise cards a few months ago when
the treatments were so hard, just when I needed them the most.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>So, at this Thanksgiving, I want all of you to know how truly I give
thanks for you -- for your loving thoughtfulness -- for your endearing and
unforgettable houndies who you share with me -- and for this family, which is
always there with unquestioning support.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>Please hug your furbabies for their Auntie Beth H., and have a
wonderful Thanksgiving Day, knowing in your hearts how your kindness has
truly touched this life.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>Much love to all,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>Beth H. (Duchess ATB and Blueberry ATB)</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 size=3 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF"
PTSIZE="12"><I>-------------------<BR>For Duchess and Blueberry: "You have gone
ahead and nothing is the same, leaving pawprints on my heart that will always
remain." -- Tibetan Proverb from Prayers on the
Wind</I></FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></FONT></BODY></HTML>