"Coko", an Untimely Death, a Purpose in Living and Dying

Today, Jerry, (my husband/regional president of UC Beckley and Martinsburg) two of our University of Charleston staff members, Lisa, Mary and I headed to the Bluefield /Princeton, WV area for the funeral of one of our students, Sheila “Coko” Hopkins. It is difficult for me to put into words the experience that I/we had today. My husband was one of a half a dozen speakers and repeatedly those that spoke about and described “CoKo”, used similar adjectives, some of the same ones that I too had used. The untimely death of “Coko” brought forth the opportunity to minister and witness to a very large crowd of people and many of those were young people. It became evident to me and many others that an unveiling was about to occur and we were about to experience a funeral service, the likes of which Jerry and I had never experienced nor had many of the others in attendance either. The church was packed and sounds of sadness and an occasional whimpers began to trickle into the church. Then emotions rang out like thunder with cries, moaning and wails of grief and saddness that could be heard before the very large family entered the church. I turned to Jerry, (eyes wide open) we both looked a bit mystified into one another’s eyes, the depth of pain we can only imagine. I softly uttered, “I believe that we are getting ready to experience a funeral like we have never experienced before” and that we did! It was evident to me that we were in the midst of the very regionally and culturally different experience as well as, a much stressed family dynamic paired with one of the most difficult events that anyone can endure, the death of a child. For me and my short relationship in knowing “Coko” it was about what “Coko” did not say. It was the look in her eyes when spoken to. And the enduring smile that exposed those beautiful white teeth and it pierced your very soul. One description after another, individuals spoke of her very distinct character trait and most memorable reaction, her smile. It was a slight tilt of her head, sometimes a removal of her hoodie (a type of garment that she always seemed to be wearing) a twinkle in her eyes and the sweetest smile that one could deliver. Pictures at that alter where her body lay in rest were collaged, evidence of years filled with that sweet smile. And the assemblage of those in attendance form a sort of collage for me and what “Coko’s” life and purpose was all about. For in that short time I wondered over the last few days, why? What did taking her now and so young fulfill? She will always be remembered and her stamp will be on many of us. But it became clear to me and the answer to my question came today. Her life was a living and dying testimony. She like all of us had struggles and had trials in this life. Her mother raised her without her father’s presence. But her mother made sure that her daughter knew her father, both her paternal father and her heavenly father. “Coko” was about one when her father was found guilty of a crime that landed him in prison until resent times. I do not know the full details of the situation but I can tell you that “Coko” was loved dearly by her mother and that was expressed by her father too. “Coko” loved both of her parents very much and longed to have a relationship with her father, one that she missed growing up. What time she had experience with her father was the many visits to the prison that her momma made sure to make happen. The pain that we experienced today had to be filled with guilt and past mistakes that one makes. One has many questions and very few answers…”Oh God”, he groaned and shouted loudly many, many times, his body becoming limp and in need of assistance to be carried. It is not our place to judge and I am surly not worthy of that either, no one but God has that right. Today was about mending relationships and a church filled with love and forgiveness. And after all the sharing and messages the final words came and the pastor, one of “Coko’s” uncles, felt moved and lead to do an altar call at the end of the service. Those of you that have experienced one of these evangelical events know what I am talking about. And this was one like I have never experience, though I am from an originally evangelical background of Southern Baptist. I married a Catholic and we became Presbyterian. And I am comfortable with an alter call and have often been concerned that we do not often invite others to know Christ in a more direct way even in our church environment. And many churches across the United States are struggling with low attendances. Many people do not go to church so our opportunities to witness have to come with experiences and relationships in our daily lives. I hope that my life is a testimony to others and that others can see Christ working through me. The burden falls on us who are Christians, to help introduce those that we meet that do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. So, my answer about why was “Coko” taken so young and for what purpose did her life serve both in living and in death was answered, she brought many to know Christ. On this day an alter call was given at “Coko’s” funeral, a veil was lifted while the funeral was widely attended by many people and many of those were young. It might have been the only opportunity or the right time for many of those to hear the message of God’s gift of grace and eternal life through Jesus Christ. I do not know the exact number but one came down. then another, then a steady flow of people, the alter was full maybe sixty or more. And if even one attains eternal life through the decision they made today at “Coko’s” funeral, then “Coko’s” purpose was more important than she or anyone but God could have imagined. For selfish reasons I wish that she was still with us but I know that I will see her again. John 3:16-17 English Standard Version (ESV) For God So Loved the World 16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. I’ve always said that the risk it too great not to believe. What can you lose by accepting the most important gift and reason for living, eternal life through God’s grace. He sent is son Jesus, He paid the ultimate price for each of us, no questions asked, all we need to do is accept that we are sinners and believe that Jesus is our Lord and savior. Jesus wiped the slate clean for each of us if we believe in him. He is the bridge between us and God. And if I have it all wrong and I do not believe that I do. Then what did I lose? Nothing! But I will have the opportunity to gain everything! And I have no fear in dying, for in death there is life everlasting.

Remembering Sam

After a nice romp through the woods!

Stored in my memory bank are many vivid images of fun times spent on the trails in West Virginia and in Tennessee with Sam and then Carly too. By my calculations we walked thousands of miles together.  Sam was our first Golden Retriever, our buddy and we are thankful that God sent him to us.  He was a great and loyal companion, a friend to all, a "snuggler", protector, jokester and "cheerer-upper". You could read his eyes.  He showed his emotions loud and clear. It was one of those odd connections between man and beast.  And no one will ever convince me that he didn't love us as much as we loved him!  I'm pretty sure he and my horse, Montana Moon, are hanging out, out there in the wild yonder; somewhere beautiful, more beautiful than words can describe.  Maybe heaven has golden trails! (BIG grin) I think...surely God didn't just put them (all of our loving pets) here on earth for such a short visit with us then forever gone…surely not?  I would like to think/hope that he/they will meet me at heaven's gates someday with a big ole' sloppy kiss and I'll jump on Montana's back and we’ll take off, full throttle!   And we will find the nearest field, stream or patch of woods to meander and poke around in! Until then I'll keep meandering about, hold those sweet memories close, and continue to enjoy each and every precious moment that I am gifted to have and enjoy every beautiful sight I see. 




Sam was always right by my side while tending to the flowers and gardening.

Overlooking the 13 thousand acre woods.

Many a day they spent looking out the window.

Jerry and our buddy Sam.

Checking out the back forty...a watchful eye.

Going for a little dip in the Lake.

Making sure that Jackson didn't fall.

Making sure that Jackson didn't loose control.

It's okay Carly....

 

I find comfort in many verses in the bible…a few of my favorites on animals and living creatures:

Genesis 9:14-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, ¹⁵ and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. ¹⁶ When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” ¹⁷ Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

Job 12:7-10

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
    Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
⁸ Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
    Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
⁹ For they all know
    that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord.
¹⁰ For the life of every living thing is in his hand,
    and the breath of every human being.

Isaiah 11:6-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
    the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
    and a little child will lead them all.
⁷ The cow will graze near the bear.
    The cub and the calf will lie down together.
    The lion will eat hay like a cow.
⁸ The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
    Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.
⁹ Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,
    for as the waters fill the sea,
    so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

Proverbs 12:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ The godly care for their animals,
    but the wicked are always cruel.

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! ²⁰ Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust. ²¹ For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth?

So…I believe that there is hope! An older blog post:  http://gaylesgardengate.blogspot.com/2012/02/heaven-sent.html

 

Snow Feathers

For several mornings as I began my days in this new place of winter’s bitter cold, some admitted frustration and agitation built up inside of me.  I am not a big fan of cold weather, I like nature, beauty and I like being outdoors.  Anyone that knows me knows this to be true.   I was and still am having a very hard time finding beauty and my happy place in this new town but I keep thinking about how I have written and spoken that beauty can be found anywhere if you just look hard enough.  Did I really say that and mean it?  Did I mean that hypothetically?  I had thought about that comment many times as I questioned my ability to see beauty and be internally happy despite my external conditions.  So, I thought some more…I don’t think that beauty has to be seen in order to feel happy; however, I believe that there has to be an ability to find it through your senses.  It is a sort of essence in our being, the ability to see, touch, feel and experience beauty, resulting in happiness.  I feel that it comes from within us and what we are capable of recognizing and able to enjoy given our surroundings too.  It is both seen and unseen like, the sweet expression on someone’s face, a little child’s hand or an elderly person, any person reaching out for your touch, the wind brushing your face or the visual of a sunrise, flower or snow covered earth, the sound of laughter or scent of something that carries you away and the knowledge that God loves you!   Whether you are with someone or not, in a place filled with people or all alone, I believe that we have to see beauty with our senses to be happy so then I ask myself; could I be happy if I could not see, touch, hear or smell?  If I could only feel with my heart so to speak, would that be enough?   I’m still a work in progress on that thought even though I do believe that is what I should be able to do.  I have been so spoiled to live in such an amazingly beautiful place, Sewanee, Tennessee with all of my senses intact.  Beauty abounds here.  And I feel that I have been blessed all of my life to be surrounded by beauty (beautiful places, beautiful people a sort of sensory overload) resulting in a happy feeling.  And in my moment of supposed “anguish” (not really),  call me crazy but in an instant God revealed these amazing “snow feathers” as I call them and like a child that had just discovered something new I was all excited, intrigued and in awe of these wonderfully complex formations.  I said, thank you God, for such a discovery in this moment of “I hate this place, there is nowhere to walk and nothing to see” feeling that was permeating my every thought.   Beauty enters your heart and mind through your senses and as I see God’s marvelous workmanship I am reminded that, “For since the creation of the world God’s INVISIBLE qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” Romans 1:20  I cannot explain a unique, amazing or beautiful event without God.  No matter where I look I see God’s hand or footprints.  Simply looking around us is not enough though.  But God sure reminded me of His beauty and instilled in me a moment of happiness as I captured a few novice photo shots that do not do justice to His fast melting creations.  And in that moment I felt that the “snow feathers” were there that morning just for me to see and appreciate and be reminded of his presence! I just wanted to share these “snow feathers” with others while God reminds me that spring is just around the corner when I can be outdoors more and get my hands in the dirt and plant some flowers!

Heaven sent!

Our son Daniel and Sam in December 1997, when this story began.



Sam was so sweet to stay right with our grand babies.

Mr. Debonair....

Our grand daughter giving Sam some lovin'.




In late 1997 our youngest son was eight years old. We were gearing up for Christmas in our jewelry store, the busiest time of the year for us. The make or break season. Our son, Daniel, had been talking about and asking for a Golden Retriever puppy. And as it got nearer to Christmas I asked him to put his list together. He only had one request; it was what he had talked about most, a Golden Retriever puppy, for goodness sakes! I tried to explain to him that mommy was busy at the store and we might think about a puppy in the spring but now was not a good time for us to try and get a puppy. I explained to him that I would be the one to have to take care of the puppy and it was not feasible for me to take a puppy to the jewelry store nor would it be fair to the puppy or me. He was relentless but not in a whiney way. One day I said,” now son you better put something on your list besides a Golden Retriever puppy or you will get presents that I decide to put on your list and you will not have anything that you really want”. He looked at me puzzled and said, “I only want a Golden Retriever and I prayed to GOD for one…”Mommy; doesn’t GOD answer your prayers?” I quipped, “HE sure does…(with one eyebrow cocked WAY up) but on HIS own good time and I’m telling YOU that it just isn’t happening this Christmas so YOU had better put something else on that list!” Well…..he didn’t! Christmas came and went and we were busy as ever. Daniel seemed disappointed but not miserable. He didn’t say much about a puppy but you could tell that he was sad and a bit disappointed even though we had explained our situation as best as we could. As usual the house Christmas tree was the last to come down since I had all of the stores Christmas decorations to pack away first. An arduous task in deed! It was about two weeks after Christmas, I was one lucky mom, I usually was able to pick up our three children from school and spend the rest of the day and evening with our family. One sunny day as we pulled into our drive way after school (we lived out in the country a bit) and there were several dogs romping and playing in our yard. I didn’t pay much attention. I stopped at the end of the driveway to check our mailbox and I left the van door ajar. When I returned to the van this over grown puppy, a Golden Retriever was in my seat trying to reach our son Daniel. Well, Daniel was so excited all he could shout was,” can we keep him mom, can we keep him?!?” He was beautiful! And there was instant attraction…Of course! And they played together until dark. Our other son and our daughter arrived home after sports practice and my husband after work. They all took to this gorgeous creature. I knew I was in deep trouble. Everyday for a couple of weeks this playtime went on and we had no idea who this puppy belonged to. He would show up promptly after school each day and so I had to start asking around about him. No one seemed to know anything until one day I went to make a deposit for our store and this lady had mentioned one time that she lived close to us, about a half mile away. I remembered that one day she had come by to deliver a deposit receipt that I had failed to get. So, I thought… I will ask her if she knows this dog, she must live fairly close. She said that it sounded like her son Troy’s dog. He and his wife had a Golden Retriever puppy that they had gotten from the State of West Virginia. The story I was told is that there was a breeding kennel that was in deplorable conditions and they had been breeding high dollar service dogs. The mother of this puppy had been bred out and the State had to put her down. There were eight puppies and they were given to several people in this family, extended family and friends. The lady behind the glass at the banks drive-in window told me that they were actually looking for someone to take this puppy. They felt like he needed more attention and they both worked shift work, he was an engineer and she was a nurse. The dog was opening up his cage by lifting the U bar and running a half mile to see us everyday. She asked me, “Do you want a dog?” I replied,” no thanks” and I put my fingers up in a BIG X! A few days passed and I shared with my husband what the lady said. He had fallen in love with Sam (his given name). We all had! We sat the children down and we all decided he was a keeper. We went to bed that night and as the lights went out I said, in a chocked up voice…”I guess GOD answered Daniel’s prayer after all!” and my husband chuckled…”or the Devil did!” Some days I did think the Devil answered that prayer…when I had something better to do than clean those muddy paws and fur tumble weeds throughout our house. But more often than not Sam was by far the most wonderful pet we have ever had. An angel of a dog that heaven sent! And a couple years later Daniel saved up his money for a female companion for Sam, Carly. Carly was not as trainable as Sam, he was easily trainable from the start. She was stubborn from the start! Sam came to us with open ears and a willingness to please, Carly had other agendas.

I guess my husband and I had taken to Sam and Carly even more than ever. They kept us busy twice a day out on the trails in West Virginia. We were lucky to have access to thousands of acres to walk and hike in. When we closed our business to make a transfer to Tennessee, Sam and I were becoming even bigger buddies. Now with our three children going off to college and busy in school the week days were ours. We spent every waking hour together. He was my constant companion, my “shadow”. He sat beside me (usually at my feet) as I painted, made jewelry, worked on my daily chores or gardened outside. Finally grandchildren came along and Sam and Carly seemed to initially welcome and at least tolerate their company. And they were patient with their growing and learning. I believe the dogs taught them a few lessons. Our grand babies learned to listen for their barks at the door to come in and watch for their desire for another treat from the pantry, for which they enjoyed accommodating them with great pride.
It was hard for all of us to accept but Sam started to show some age. It was hard to believe that the dog that had climbed the hills of West Virginia and Tennessee like a mountain goat had finally begun to slow down. As Sam continued to weaken my husband had to carry him up and down the stairs. He slept by our bed every night and nearly communicated with me as though he were talking right to me in his expressions and body language. He was never comfortable with being carried and he weighed nearly 80 pounds during his peak but had trimmed down some. Nevertheless, I was concerned about my husband carrying Sam up and down the stairs for fear of them falling. My husband had, had a terrible motorcycle accident and a compound fracture to his right femur, along with several other injures a few years ago, so the last thing that we needed was a fall! Sam had been a super companion to my husband during his recover and so had our cats! Separating Sam from us at night was very difficult, especially on Sam! But we had to put up a child gate so he would not attempt to climb the stairs and I had to put a stop to this dangerous task. It broke my heart as he looked so pitifully at me each night. We made him a super comfortable palette in our family room and many nights I would sleep downstairs on the couch with him to comfort him. He also had an awesome bed in our garage that in the end proved to be his most coveted resting place.
Sam learned many words and he and Carly had a few that we had to be careful not to utter at the wrong time or crazy excitement might erupt! These two Golden Retrievers kept and Carly still keeps us outdoors twice a day rain or shine and on our hikes or walks. They have been great motivator of exercise!
Sam’s health finally began to deteriorate at about fourteen and a half. We have a super vet that makes house calls and when Sam and Carly began to have a few problems she offered suggestions and awesome care. They both had surgery to remove some growths and Sam’s was cancer. He healed well but continued to slow down. By late summer 2011 he was weaker and our hikes had come to a halt. Very quickly our walks became shorter and at last we resorted to strolls and wagon rides. He loved being outside and riding in the truck was one of his very favorite things to do! We had not done that in a long time and in late September 2011 Sam went on his last truck ride. He was so happy and you could tell it! He never lost the puppy in his spirit.
We have had a little intruder problem for about a year. We have two cats that our son Daniel found at the lake behind our house and another large cat has been coming in our pet door to find food and shelter. It gets our cats all worked up causing some “CrAzY hissy fits” and Sam being the “Great Interceptor and Ruckus Controller ” that he was, possibly tried to intercede and coax our friend on his way as Carly, our female, attempted to abruptly escort him back out the door I assume. I heard some noise but this had become a nightly routine and I was exhausted that night and did not get up. That was very unusual for me. Apparently Sam being too weak plummeted straight down our deck stairs in the dark, early morning hours during this altercation. He had not attempted to travel down them for many months. It broke our hearts as we noticed him missing from our family room when we woke up the next morning. Rushing and in a panic we found him at the bottom of the deck stairs unable to move. We immediately carried him to his bed in our garage. As I scurried to straighten his covers my husband tried to sit him down for a moment, unable to stand he just held him sort of close to the ground and Sam looked at me as if to say he was sorry with his eyes. Oh I cried, Sam no baby we are so sorry. I had scolded him just weeks before as he for the umpteenth time lately had gotten into the lake behind our home unable to get back out. I fussed at him a little and shot him one of those looks, like Sam what in the world were you thinking looks! He had gotten in a boggy nasty part of the lake. I was on the phone with my sister and had momentarily lost him long enough for him to slip in for a dip. At first I chuckled then I realized oh my goodness, he cannot get out. We were covered in muck and tears and we smelt atrocious. I lost one of my shoes somewhere down in the goo. I had to physically drag him across a bridge and up a hill, call my husband at work and ask him to bring the truck to pick us up. It was the second of such call in a short time span. I was a mess both physically and mentally and so was Sam. My husband proceeded to remove some of his dress clothes in order to get us in the truck bed. This look that Sam gave me now was the very same look after such an ordeal. It was as though he were saying he was sorry with his eyes. And I felt horrible that I had heard something during the night of his fall but didn’t get up as things seemed to get quiet again. We quickly accessed Sam’s injury as very serious, and more than likely life threatening, I phoned the vet. She arrived in what seemed like forever as we waited with great sadness knowing that Sam would probably never recover. Our fears were confirmed on October 31, 2011. Sam died in my arms and I had to drive his still warm body about an hour away to meet the ever so kind folks that would ultimately cremate Sam for us. I stopped as I pulled out of our driveway to let Carly, our female Golden, who had gone to the end of our driveway to lie in the garden, say good bye to her best buddy and brother by adoption, Sam. She nudged him with her nose, seemingly unaware that he was gone, she wanted to ride too. I told her that she must stay and she began to back up very confused, one had never gone anywhere without the other accept when she had been bitten on the nose by a copperhead snake. I gave her a pat on the head for assurance as I hated to leave her behind. After I had gone she must have walk a short distance down the street to our neighbor’s home to lie down in their garage. After all most of our neighbors seem to love and cherish our animals too. These particular neighbors’s informed us of this after they heard about Sam’s passing. They said that she had never in the ten years that we have live here come to do that. In fact, they often try to get her to walk with them and she will visit briefly in front of our home but never venture off with anyone but us.
About two days after Sam’s passing Carly perked up with some excitement she stood at the tailgate of my husband’s truck, wagging her tail and looking as if to say, okay let’s go get Sam! This was the truck that she and Sam had ridden in, in September and before that it had surely been close to a year since we were able to take them for a ride. I did take her on a ride that day and the day after she did the same thing. After no return of Sam possible she knew something was up. On the fourth day she didn’t ask for a truck ride. Carly began to seem quieter and obviously sad in the days to follow. She barely got up to take her walks and often refused to go. I felt like I had lost a child and I wondered what she thought. I was so terribly sad. But I/we are so thankful to have been so blessed to enjoy such a wonderful pet for so many years. And we still have sweet Carly! And our two cats Reesie and Sug’-a-Bee!
About two weeks ago our son Daniel was going through a few rough days and I had, had him in my prayers very intensely. During a long hike that I had not taken since last year because it had become too long and dangerous for Sam, I was praying and hiking with a vigorous pace and God stopped me in my tracks as I reached the bluff. He reminded me about when Daniel was young. And how I had missed an opportunity to teach Daniel about how God answers prayers. It was as clear as though I could hear Daniel’s little voice, Mommy; doesn’t GOD answer your prayers?” (Remember as I mentioned earlier?)I quipped, “HE sure does…but on HIS own good time and I’m telling you that it just isn’t happening this Christmas so you had better put something else on that list!” as I nodded my head with such confidence! Who was I to say when God would answer Daniel’s prayer? After all I had said that he would answer the prayer on His (God’s) own good time! It was a teaching moment and I failed, it had been about my time, on my schedule! Surely little Daniel must have been confused. So, now was a teaching moment and a learning moment for me, (Daniel now 22 years old) so later that evening, I began a series of text messages. They began like this…Me-“I’ve got a question for you…It’s not a hard one I don’t think…but I was curious about something. Daniel- “OK” Me-“When you were little and you told me that you had prayed for a Golden Retriever puppy for Christmas…did you really or did you just tell me that?” Daniel-“I really did. I always wanted one” Me- “And do you think that God answered your prayer or do you think that Sam just showed up?” “I was thinking about that on my morning hike.” ;0) “I really feel his (Sam’s) spirit around still when I walk. I know that sounds crazy but dad said the same thing on our walk this evening.” Daniel- “I can’t say for sure but it would be quite a coincidence if he wasn’t a godsend! Plus he was such a special dog!” Me- “Yea that’s what I feel.” “And then you really wanted a puppy so we got Carly! Do you think that she was an answer too? Haha” (you have to know the two dogs to understand this part) Daniel- “I’m not sure about her haha. She is sweet though.” “Ok love you” Me- “Yes she is…and she has been very SPECIAL lately too!” “One more question…If you remember back then when you prayed for Sam…did you really believe that God would answer your prayer or did you just hope?” “I was just thinking about how little faith I had when I told you not now, not for Christmas but maybe we can revisit the idea of a dog in the spring or summer so that you could help more with a puppy. And that if you didn’t put something else on your list that you would simply just get what I decided to get you” “Your response back to me is as clear to me today as if I could hear your sweet little voice say…’well I prayed for a Golden Retriever puppy! Mommy; doesn’t GOD answer your prayers?’ And you looked at me.” Daniel- “Well I’m not really sure. I just know that I prayed for one but never thought that one would just show up like Sam did. I thought the only way I’d get one is if you got it for me.” Me-“I remember firmly looking at you and saying, YES son, but it happens on His own good time and I’m telling you that you better put something else on your list….!” Daniel- “Haha, Yes I do remember that” Me- “It just got me thinking this morning…” Ok love you. No more questions! Have fun!” Daniel- “Haha ok love you. Thank you!”
God gives us teaching moments. And God answers prayer. His answers are yes, not right now and no I have something better in store for you later.
Sam was an inspiration for me in several different mediums and media of art. I made paintings, digital art, photographs, fabric print and even painted him on a wooden chest for our grand daughter's fifth birthday. He truly was an angel sent from heaven.
Thank you for reading,

Gayle Forster

The fountain of beauty is in our heart, and many of those beautiful, fascinating thoughts and images are illustrated in it’s chamber s and must be purged...
 G.Forster

This piece is a digital art that I did of Sam several years ago.  It has been reproduced in prints for sell and displayed in my art shows.







This is a piece of fabric that I designed and printed from a photograph that I took of Sam in the Fall of 1999.





The little chest that I painted for our grand daughter so the she could treasure our buddy Sam and have a story to tell.