From franchise grind to independent

Tuesday of this past week I left Classic Suzuki of Birmingham, a franchised automobile dealership and went to Fultondale Auto Sales, a small independent car lot.  I just had to get out of the franchise grind where-in you may get to work at 8:30 am in the morning, but not leave until 10-11pm.  It was miserable.  On top of that, my old dealer had recently brought in a lot of managers from Atlanta.  They improved the number of units we were selling but started doing some of the most bogus stuff imaginable in order to sell vehicles.  And, the lenders are catching them a few at a time.  Funding of the deals that were being made has become a nightmare and yet the dealer, being blinded by the increase in money, does not realize that ultimately, these actions will cost him immensely just as it did last time when the dealership started screwing lenders.  After just a few times of being caught, the lenders will drop him as a trustworthy dealership and they will go out of business.  In the last month or so it had become misery just working there.  They fired me a week before Christmas with my wife in the hospital undergoing emergency blood transfusions and then re-hired me the day after Christmas.  They the promoted me to Used Car Director on one day and two days later told me what a piece of shit I was for taking the position/promotion. They also questioned my credibility and insinuated that I might be taking money on the side from wholesalers that I dealt with.  They then told me that I was just a clerk and would be paid a clerks wages (this past Monday)  I had had enough and on Tuesday, I took my keys into the dealer and told him to have a clerk do my job, as I was resigning.  I put up with a lot from that company.  I missed many, many off-days that could have been spent with my wife, I worked long hours and at times was the only employee that he could trust to do what I was supposed to do. But when he questions my credibility and honesty in the manner that he did, it was time to go.  My new employer appreciates the knowledge and drive that I have within me and is letting me push his dealership into new growth!

I wrote this for a friend that lost a little dog named Riley...hope you like it!

An angel named Riley

There are angels in Heaven
Of many different breeds
They are given special missions
To serve certain humans in need

One little trooper
Shyer than all the rest
Was hand-picked by God
And sent to do his best

Her name was Pam Garland
Riley, he was named
She saved him from the misery
Of rear legs that were lame

He was so tough, he learned to walk
Quite a pair they made
The memories of his damaged legs
Slowly began to fade

She treated him with caring,
So much love and grace
And the most beautiful thing to her
Was seeing his smiling face

He wore little pants
Just like a human boy
And Pam always made sure
His life was full of joy

She always loved this little soul
So full of mischevious ways
Of figuring out how to get things
That she had carefully hidden away

He taught her love, he taught her grace
He taught her many things
But the biggest thing he taught her
Was unconditional loving

They lived and loved together
For just a few short years
But as his mission was nearing it's end
Pam experienced her worst of fears

That smiley little boy of hers
With eyes so innocent and wide
Was being called back to Heaven
To sit at his Creators side

He didn't want to go, you see
Pam's heart was broken in half
She didn't know if she could go on
Or if she again could laugh

But God has his plan for all of us
Of that we can be sure
Riley became an angel again
Innocent, perfect and pure

He is now Pam's guardian angel
And visits her from time to time
He is in her heart forever
Until the end of time

We all have our Forever Day
We will all be called to die
But Pam will have Riley at the Gates of Heaven
Patiently standing by

When the Father calls her to Paradise
When it becomes her time
Riley will be there waiting to greet her
For Eternity, their hearts entwined

To CoCo and Taterbug...always in my heart!

YOU HAVE CHOSEN TEARS

The little golden boy stopped.
Behind him, puppies were playing, chasing each other and
wrestling in the warm sunshine.
It looked like so much fun .But, in front of him, through
the clear stillness of the pond water, he could see his mommy.
She was crying.
He pawed at the water, trying to get to her. When that didn't work,
he jumped into the shallow water. That just got him wet and Mommy's image danced away in the ripples.
"Mommy!...come back" he cried. "Something's wrong!"
The little golden boy turned around.
A lady was standing at the edge of the pond. Her gentle eyes
were filled with love and kindness.
The little golden boy sighed, padded out of the water and up to her. There's been a mistake," he said. "I'm not supposed to be here." He looked back at the water.
It was becoming still again and his mommy's image was coming back. "I'm just a baby. Mommy said it has to be a mistake. She said I wasn't supposed to come here yet," he howled.
The kind lady sighed and sat down in the grass.
With some gentle coaxing, the little golden boy climbed into her lap. It wasn't Mommy's lap, but, it was almost as good.
When she started to pet him and scratch behind his ear, the way he liked, he started to whine softly. He hadn't wanted to, but he couldn't help it. He missed his mommy's touch.
"I'm afraid, there is no mistake. You are supposed to be
here and your mommy knows it...deep down in her heart," the lady said. "She knew this would happen...it always does".
The little golden boy sighed and laid his head on the lady's leg.
"But she's so sad. It hurts me to see her cry. And daddy too.
But they knew right from the beginning this would happen,...why,
because I was so sick?" he whimpered.

That surprised the little golden boy.
No one had said anything like that and he had listened when
they thought he was sleeping.
All he had heard them talk about was how cute he was or
how smart he was or how big he was getting.
"No, not because you were sick," the lady said.
"But, you see, they chose Tears."
"No, they didn't," the little golden boy argued. "Who would choose to cry?"
The lady gently brushed the top of his head with a kiss.
It made him feel safe and loved and warm - but he still worried about his mommy.

"Let me tell you a story," the lady said.
The little golden boy looked up and saw other animals gathering around. Cats, kittens, hamsters, birds, a lizard, several dogs, puppies and some animals he didn't even recognize, all came to be nearer, so they could hear too. They all lay down near the kind lady and looked up at her, waiting. She smiled at them and began:

A long, long, time ago, the Loving Ones went to the Angel in Charge.
They were lonesome and asked the Angel to help them.
The Angel took them to a wall of windows. They peered out the first window at all sorts of things; dolls, toys, clothes and many other things to hold or use.
"Here are things you can love," the Angel said.
"They will keep you from being lonesome."
"Oh, thank you," the Loving Ones said. "These are just what we need."
"You have chosen Pleasure," the Angel told them.

But, after a time, the Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.
"Things are okay to love," they said. "But, they don't care that we love them."
The Angel in Charge led them over to the second window.
It looked out at all sorts of wild animals.
"Here are animals to love," he said. "They will know you love them."
So, the Loving Ones nodded, hurrying out to care for the wild
animals. "You have chosen Satisfaction," the Angel said.

The Loving Ones worked at taming some of the wild animals.
Many learned to serve the Loving Ones in their daily tasks. Some were just enjoyed and watched, like the birds that came into their yards to be fed. But, after a time, they all came back to the Angel in Charge.
"They know we love them," they told the Angel. "But they don't love us back. We would like to be loved in return."
So the Angel took them to the third window and showed
them lots of people walking around or hurrying to places.
"Here are people for you to love," the Angel told them.
So, the Loving Ones hurried off to find other people to love.
"You have chosen Commitment," the Angel said.

But, after a time, many of Loving Ones came back to the
Angel in Charge. "People are okay to love," they said. "But sometimes they stopped loving us or left us. They broke our hearts."
The Angel just shook his head. "I cannot help you," he said.
"You will have to be satisfied with the choices I gave you."

As the Loving Ones turned to leave one saw the last window
far off to the side and slowly walked up to look out of it.
Through it she could see puppies, kittens and dogs, cats and lizards, hamsters and well, some she didn't recognize.
The other Loving Ones hurried over to see. "What about these?" they asked.
But the Angel just tried to shoo them away.
"Those are Personal Empathy Trainers," he said.
"But, there's a problem with their system operations."
"Would they know that we love them?" someone asked.
"Yes," the Angel said.
"Would they love us back?" another asked.
"Yes," the Angel said.
"Will they ever stop loving us?" someone else asked.
"No," the Angel admitted. "They will love you forever."
"Then THESE are what we want," the Loving Ones said.
But the Angel seemed upset.
"You don't understand," he told them. "You will have to
feed these animals."
"That's all right," the Loving Ones said.
"You will have to clean up after them and take care of them forever. You will have to love them unconditionally, as you would want them to love you."
"We don't mind," they protested.
The Loving Ones did not listen. They went down to where
the Pets were and picked them up. They could see the love in their own hearts reflected in the animals' eyes.
"They were not programmed right," the Angel said. "We can't offer a warranty. We don't know how durable they are. Some of their systems malfunction very quickly while others last a long time."
But the Loving Ones did not seem to care or want to listen.
They were holding the warm little bodies and finding
their hearts so filled with love that they thought they would burst.
"We will take our chances," they said.
"You do not understand." The Angel tried one more time.
"They are so dependent on you tand even the most well-made of them is not designed to out-live you. You are destined to suffer their loss."
The Loving Ones looked at the sweetness in their arms, and nodded to one another.
"That is how it should be. It is a fair trade for the
love they will offer. We'll worry about the rest later," as they each walked away with a new little pet in their arms.
The Angel just watched them all go, shaking his head.
"You have chosen Tears," he whispered.

"So it is," the kind lady told the little golden boy.
" Each mommy and daddy knows when they take a new pet into their heart... that one day it will leave them and they will cry."
The little golden boy sat up. "So why do they take us then!?!" he asked. "Why would they do it...if they know?"
"Because even a moment of your love is worth years of pain later," she quietly replied.
"Oh....." the animals all agreed in unison, including the little golden boy and quietly nodded to each other.
The little golden boy got off the lady's lap and went back to the edge of the pond.
His mommy was still there... and still crying.
"Will she ever stop crying?" he asked the kind lady.
She nodded. "You see, the Angel felt sorry for the
Loving Ones, knowing how much they would suffer. He couldn't take their tears away, but he did make them special."
She dipped her hand into the pond and let the water
trickle off her fingers.
"He made them healing tears, formed by the special water here.
Each tear holds a bit of all the happy times of barking, purring
petting, playing...and shared love. All flowing together with the promise to love once again.
As your mommy cries, she is healing. It may take a long
while, but the tears will help her feel better. In time she will be less sad and she will begin to smile when she thinks of you.
Then,she may open her heart again, to another little baby."
"But then she will cry again one day," the little golden
boy said, sadly.
The lady just smiled at him as she got to her feet.
"No. She will love again. That is all she will think about. She will worry about the rest later...as so many already have before her."
She bent down and gave the little golden boy a pat
on his head and smiled up at the others who had been
listening. They all lowered their heads and nodded silently back.
"Look," she said. "The butterflies have come. Shall we all
go over to play?"
The other animals all ran ahead, but the little golden
boy wasn't ready to leave the sight of his mommy.
"Will I ever get to be with her again?" he asked solemnly.
The kind lady nodded. "You'll be in the eyes of every puppy she looks at. You'll be in the bark of every dog she pets. Late at night, when she's fast asleep, the spirit of your memory will snuggle up close to her and you both will feel at peace.
One day soon you can even send her a rainbow, to let her know
you're safe and waiting here...for when it's time for her to come."
"I would like that," as the little golden boy took
one last, long look at his mommy.
He saw her smile slightly through her tears and he knew
she had just recalled a happy memory of him.
"I love you, Mommy," he whispered. "It's okay if you
cry, I understand now."
He glanced over at the other pets,all running, playing
and laughing, chasing the butterflies.
"Uh,...Mommy? I gotta go play now,...okay? But I'll be
around.,I promise. Remember me and I'll always be with you.
Hey!...You guys wait for me!!!....."
Then he turned and raced happily after the others.

Cross of Sticks

Cross of Sticks

A small cross of sicks and the
Brown wilted remains of a
Red Carnation
Mark the place where
My life changed forever.

Another cross also stood here once.
Moved by the winds and rains that
Batter this hillside,
Now only one remains.
But only one matters anyway.

One cross,
Two thousand years ago.
Only this one matters.
The cross on which my sins and my pain
Were taken away forever.

My cross of sticks
Stands in the place where I let go and
Gave a dog back to Jesus.
But His cross stands in my heart,
Where He gave Himself for me.

My life changed here,
At this cross of sticks.
It brought me to another cross,
A cross of one who was tortured and killed -
And who died for me.

And as I remember
The reason for this cross of sticks,
I remember the one who made it possible,
My Lord Jesus Christ,
The One who set me free.

For Taterbug and CoCo

If I could speak to you from the Bridge, I would tell you not to cry.
For I am no longer in pain, it is only my body that has died.
Speak to me often and from the heart,
It will help to shorten the time that we are apart.

Remember I love you in every way,
Thank you for releasing me from my pain today.
Tuck my memory somewhere safe and warm,
for today I was again Reborn.

And when your time on Earth is finally through,
Look toward the Light I will be coming for you.

 

Our first Christmas apart!

Holidays at Home

I know how you are about holidays,
All the joy and excitement you feel.
I was there with you, I shared your ways,
And now that I’m gone, I know it doesn’t seem real.

I know that now you go through the motions,
And that you are trying, for my sake,
To slow the tears, to still the oceans.
You want to find that it’s all a mistake.

But, oh, my dear one, let me speak to your heart.
Let me tell you what I now know.
It’s true that I have left, that we had to part.
And it’s true that you must let go.

But it’s also true that I am more than I ever was before.
I am joy, and light, and perfect song,
And pure love woven with memories galore.
The essence of my life with you is ever-present and strong.

For always and ever I am with you,
Even when you are unaware.
I offer you comfort, and hope, and all things true.
I offer you help with the burdens you bear.

So though you do not see me clearly,
I see you and I kiss away your tears.
I am whole and free
And you can cast aside your fears.

Think of me now and remember our holidays.
Know that my memories of them are strong.
And know also that I am happy, with love ablaze,
For I am home now, where I belong.

My little babies, CoCo and Taterbug!

Love On The Winds Of Peace

Christmas Eve was a very special night at Rainbow Bridge.
Was the night that each had a chance to whisper Merry Christmas
to the hearts of their loved ones. The keeper Of The Winds would
lift all on the Winds Of Peace and bring them to their Families sides.
There they would spend this time of reunion sitting by the sides of their
Mommas and Daddy's.

Some would visit the dreams of their loved ones and let them know
that all was well. Together they would remember all the wonderful times.
The Fur Angels were able to let their parents know that they waited for them
that when it was time they would be together again for always.
Others would sit at their families' side and lay their heads on the hearts
of these special ones and whisper I am here. By having been taught
true love by the Angels Of The Rainbow these special ones had
opened their hearts and could hear the words of love. They felt the
gentle touches of Angel Wings. They heard the sweetest music. A
heavenly choir. Each felt the warmth of healing return to their souls.
Each knew when was it time, there would be reunion. It was only a
heart beat away.

On this special night of rebirth each was able to touch again in their
own way. Each was able to bring comfort to the ones who had given
them so much joy just by letting them in. For the bond shared was so
strong that nothing could break it. It only grew stronger with each
memory of love shared. The silver thread joined them and would
guide them together.

The SilverWolf would watch over the new ones who had arrived at the
Bridge just before was time to glide to their loved ones' side. Just as his Daddy
did he would reach out to them and show them how to speak to their families
hearts. Each new Angel could see and hear the warm wisdom in the gentle
voice of the silver one. He knew how they felt when given this gift. He too
had special words he would whisper to his Daddy. He would bring these
words to him in the blue of a Morning Glory.

Just before the sun was to rise on a new day of healing for the ones
who waited to join the Angels. The Keeper of the Winds cradled the
Angels in his arms and brought them back to the bridge. When all
arrived they all gathered together and watched the sun rise.
On each Christmas morning they said a special prayer and the Keeper Of
The Winds of Peace brought their voices to the ones Who Cared.

'We are always by your side, each step you take we take it with you. Each silver
tear that falls we are there to help them dry. Each tear helps wash the pain away.
On this Christmas Morning we wish peace of heart and healing. You who have opened
your hearts to love and gave so much in a gentle touch or a loving look.
Stars above hear our prayer watch over these special ones for us till we can.'

The Silver one whispered' heart of my heart I love you always and forever.'
This path of healing you are on will guide you to me when is time. Till then we are
always by your side.