September 15, 2012

Thoughts today ~

In the 1940s, during World War II, my Dad served in the U.S. Army.  Dad had bad eyesight and flat feet!  So he was never sent into combat, to the frontlines.  He traveled to and served at many bases around the U.S. doing the work assigned to him.

Dad came from a very small family.  Now Mom ~ that was a different story.  Her parents, my Grandpa had twelve siblings, my Grandma had eight or nine (as best I can recall).  And our family life was such that we did see and know these dozens of great aunts and great uncles and their families.

For years, Dad would lightly joke about his military service, saying, "it doesn't matter where they send me, what state or city I wind up in, someone from Helen's family will be living there and will offer me dinner and even if it's just a whistlestop on a long train ride to somewhere, there will be someone to wave hello to".

I feel I am on the train today.  I could ride anywhere in my country, I could ride around the world ~ and there would be one of you to offer me dinner, to wave hello.  You are all holding me up and I love you and thank you for it.

80 comments:

  1. We can't feel the pain and the power of your emotions, but we can try to let you know we would if we could -

    Next stop?

    Penn(sylvania) Station?

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra and Phyll
    P.S. I will now have an O Jay's earworm - get on board everybody for the love train!

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  2. You do so much for everyone else. I send you my virtual hugs but just wish I could be there to do it in person. You and Vic are so very much in our thoughts and prayers.
    With love Jackie

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  3. Our prayers and purrs are with you, Ann.

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  4. We continue to send you love, support and all our purrrs.

    Love, Max, Bugsy, Knuckles and Lou

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  5. yep - sending love and kisses from the midwest.....

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  6. You and Vic are in our prayers. You are such a huge part of the Cat Blogogphere that we all feel like family.

    Please remember that we are only a phone call away.

    The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon
    pee ess - thanks Khyra...now WE have that earworm!!

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  7. We dropped by as soon as we heard. Be strong, my online friend. We are sending our powers of paws and prayers so you and Poppy Vic will get through this.

    Huggies and Cheese,
    Haopee

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  8. We hope your children will be able to visit you and Vic soon.

    We are happy to be one of your "trainstops", even though never having met you in person.

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  9. Everyone loves you, Ann. We are all thinking only the best of good thoughts for you and Vic. We are praying very hard. If the train ever comes this way, we would be at the train station to greet you with open arms, enormous hugs, and all the love we could muster. Please do take care.

    Hugs, Kathie and the OP Pack

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  10. Such support is a glowing reflection of what a wonderful friend you have become for many many many of us. We continue to send prayers and sustaining (we hope) thoughts, dear Ann. In those dark moments you have a lot of "backup"!

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  11. Yeah, what everyone else said. :)

    You & Vic are loved and in my prayers.

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  12. Dear Miss Ann,
    Ernie and I want you to know that YOU and Mr. Vic are in our prayers.
    We are ALL here fur you.
    Sincerely,
    Frankie Furter

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  13. Just a few words to let you know we are thinking of you both. Take care Ann and give our love to Vic.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  14. Oh Ann, that is so true. We would welcome you with open arms. We sure have you in our thoughts and prayers on this day and every day. Big hugs to ya.

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  15. Sending a hug all the way from Augusta, KS...the pugs send licks and wiggle-waggle tails and the kitties send rumble-purrs and soft fur for you to caress.
    Much Love,
    Mama Mindy & The Slimmer Puggums & The Slimmer Purrsibs

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  16. Sending love from Sidmouth, England. There will always be a warm welcome here for you. xxx

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  17. We hope you can feel the hug we are giving you.

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  18. We only wish we could do more... out thoughts & prayers are with you, Vic & your family.

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  19. We're purring hard and mom is praying lots. She wishes she could be there, she feels your pain having just gone thru all of this, even if it were just to make you a cup of tea and give you a hug...

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  20. We continue to keep you and Vic in our prayers and lots and lots of love.
    <<>>

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  21. ((HUGS)) we hope you can feel the love being sent from all of us bloggers. Big purrayers still being sent your way. XOXO

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  22. We love you Ann, like a sister. In fact, I feel all the catmoms in the CB are like sisters to me. There is a lot of power in those purrs and prayers we have for you!

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  23. yes, dear, i believe that to be true--we are all one! love and prayers for you and vic!!

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  24. My paws are crossed and my mom has been praying for you and Vic.
    Take care
    Lorenza and mom

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  25. We wish your train had a happier reason for traveling around right now. We continue to think of you and Vic-and the kitties send purrs to you both.

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  26. My thoughts are filled with you many times off and on during the day. Keeping you and Poppa Vic in prayers sweet friend. Hugs

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  27. Surrounding you with purrs, prayers and tail wags. We wish we were closer so we could help you!

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  28. You and Vic are in my thoughts and my walk-around prayers during the day. I think we would all like to be in your neighborhood and help you any way we could.

    Love and hugs,

    Jo (Stella and Zkhat)

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  29. We're sending headbonks, purrs and most of all our love to you. Hold strong.

    Carolyn and the Boys

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  30. Sending comforting purrrrrrssss and gentle headbuttttss to you all.

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  31. You would receive a huge welcome in the hillside here in Wales. We even have a station! Still thinking and sending hugs and purrs xx

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  32. You and Poppy Vic are in our thoughts and prayers each and everyday. God Bless you and keep you both in his care.
    What a wonderful story and you are right you can count on us should your ride end up in NC.
    Hugs madi and Mom

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  33. That's what furiends are for! Hugs and purrs to you.

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  34. Dear Ann,

    Friends are often the difference between floating and sinking. I don't know what I would have done without them either...

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  35. Dear Ann,

    I only wish we could somehow do more for you. I just feel so bad for you and Poppy Vic. It's a terribly tough time. Just keep remembering that thew hole blogosphere world is behind you.,

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  36. We continue our purrs and prayers for both you and Vic ... and for Maggy and Zoey ... and for all your family.

    Love, Marilynn
    and Grace & Company, too, of course

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  37. Sending warm comforting purrs and prayers
    Puuuurrrrrrssss
    Abby

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  38. Continued prayers, Light and purrs to you both, Ann.

    Blessings and Peace.

    (((Hugs)))

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  39. Ann,

    Holding you and Vic close to our hearts...

    Blessings,
    Janelle, Maggie Mae and Max

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  40. we are holding you and Vic closely in our hearts during this hard time. We love you!

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  41. We would invite you to dinner and to spend the night top rest before you traveled on.

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  42. Love & Hugs to you Ann!! We have you and Poppy Vic in our Prayers!!
    Love you lots,
    Your TX furiends

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  43. Purrs, hugs and love to you from the bottom of our hearts.

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  44. Rest assured our doors would be open to you in any hour of need, Ann.

    Mom Julie's dad was in the US Army, too, during the war. We loved your story.

    Hugs,
    Tom, Mom Julie,Tinker, Mitty & Anastasia

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  45. You do the same for us, sweet Ann! We love you! xxoo Patty, Bhu & Sab

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  46. We are proud to call you our friend.
    Please know you are special and our prayer are with you.
    From the Top of the Space Needle in Seattle.
    Linda Jeff and Cinnamon Johnson

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  47. Hugs! That thought brought a tear to my eye because it's so true. I'm glad you're feeling the comfort we all went to send you.

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  48. Ann,
    You are ever in our hearts and thoughts. Vic is in prayers.

    {{{huggies}}}.....Mona

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  49. Headbutts and purrs from South Carolina.

    Truffle and Brulee

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  50. We are continuing to pray and send you warm hugs Ann. We are sending virtual hugs to you as well. Love, Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

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  51. Sending all my love and heartfelt, comforting wishes to you and your family at this difficult time. We love you guys!
    With love,
    Caryl
    xxx

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  52. Although we have just met you..We are thinking of you, and our door is always open :) xx00xx
    Mollie and Alfie

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  53. You bet we'd have a soft bed for you and a cup of hot tea. Just knock on the door!

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  54. We are thinking of you, and purraying.

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  55. Sending you prayers and support,
    purrs and headbutts !!
    Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
    Tiger,Treasure,JJ and Julie

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  56. sending you and your family my thoughts and prayers at this time. I know how tough it is. Hugs and purrs

    Karen, Pixel and samba

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  57. I'm so sorry for you and your hubby's health problems. I have been through this with 2 hubbys. Ann,I hope you're feeling better and on the way to a speedy recovery. You both are in my prayers and have been since I heard about it.
    Kassey's Mom, Ann

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  58. This is just another part of your and Vics journey together. We would all try and come and lighten the load if we could.

    Hugs
    Julie and Poppy Q
    xxx

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  59. Yes, we are all hugging you and holding you up.

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  60. It's good to have a big family!!!!

    We're purring very hard!!!

    ((((((((HUGS)))))))) !!!

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  61. Dinner available here to you friend. We'll make SURE TBT will provide it. Carno, Omni, or Vegan.

    Purrs to you and Vic...

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  62. We are sending big ((hugs)) and purrayers this morning.

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  63. Lots of hugs, prayers and purrrs are coming your way!!
    (((((((HUGGGGSSSS))))))) from your TX furiends,

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  64. Lots and lots of purrs and ducky hugs from all of us. And thank you, in the midst of everything, for donating graphics for Mini. We have no words :)
    PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRS and *ducky hugs*

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  65. That is true Ann. I would be honored to have you here with us. xox

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  66. We love you guys as if you were family. Oh but we wish we could truly lighten your load. You are always in our prayers!

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  67. Know that I am thinking of you each and every day. Sending you all prayers, good thoughts, and love. I wish I could do more than that. You are so dear and thought of by so many know we are here for you.

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  68. Still here praying for you and Vic. Stay strong!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  69. We're thinking what TK and the Squashies said. Hugs from all of us, Ann. Meow from Au, Target and Guido.

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  70. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  71. We're thinking about you and your loved ones.

    Hugs,
    Emma and Buster

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  72. Ann, you are so right. We all love you so much, and send our hugs, thoughts, and most fervent purrs and prayers.

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  73. Just want you to know we are thinking of all of you and sending lots of love and comforting purrs. Hugs

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  74. So sorry to hear about the loss of Poppy Vic. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

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  75. Our condolences. We are thinking of you in your time of loss.
    Angel Normie, Mika, Sasha & Grady

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  76. Love and purrs to you and yours. We are so sorry to hear this. Alexi, Galletta, Mombean, and Blue Cat Man

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  77. What a lovely post. My mom is tearing up. We're so glad you have this wonderful community for support. We're thinking of you.

    Garth and his mom Rebecca

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