Heidi's Farewell

Today, 11 April 2008. we had to bid good bye to our long-lived and many lived friend, Heidi.

We have had here since 1993, so she was likely 18 to 20 years old, which is next to Methusala in cat years. She has dwindled to half her peak weight of 14 #'s down to 7 pounds and was totally blind. She still slept every night with Anneliese and purred and licked her constantly, but would not eat. She has been a big part of all the kids childhoods and will be missed greatly. She joined Fiona on her right side facing the stream.

We bought some flowers and azalea bushes to plant on their graves. We hope not to expand our pet cemetery any time soon. Anne hopes to get Midnight to start to sleep with her now and to get him to be nicer!! Of course, Heidi never did like him, so maybe it is a lost cause.

At any rate, we like to think of her now in Heaven chasing little mice and bunnies around and not bumping into walls and all fat and happy. We look forward to having her sandpaper tongue lick our hands again. We will miss all the white hair that has adorned all of our clothes for these 15 years!! But we will be reminded of her by her hair which she contributed to our decorations and clothes certainly for years to come!!

We suggest no flowers be sent, but instead to contribute to the perpetual building fund of our Gimsbacher old farm house--yet to be named! Please contribute memories to the comment section for family night on Monday.























Here is our Pet Cemetary which we fixed up today. Notice Heidi's tombstone with the "et al" to signify the incorporated pets along the lines of "Bluebell" and something else "Bell". Stella will remember the names of all her birds that became part of Heidi.

23 April: We received this poem from the Vet Clinic about Heidi:

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven lies the Rainbow Bridge.

When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge. It
makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling
hills and peaceful, lush meadows of green.

Our pets do not thirst or hunger. The old and sick are made
young once more; the maimed and the ill become healed
and strong. They are as healthy and playful as we remember
them in days gone by.

Though happy and content, they still miss someone special,
someone they had to leave behind.

Together, the animals chase and play, but the day comes
when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance...
bright eyes intent, eager body quivering. Suddenly
recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the
green fields and into your embrace. You celebrate in
joyous reunion. You will never again separate. Happy tears
and kisses are warm and plenty; your hands caress the face
you missed. You look once more into the loving eyes of your
pet and know you never really parted. You realize that
though out of sight, your love had been remembered.

And now, you cross the Rainbow Bridge together....

M.A. Preston

Spring Break Activities

Spring break this year has been somewhat minimal--I was off on convalescent leave, but we could not take any trips besides short day trips because I did not have real leave to take--had to save it for June trips to the states for Stella's events. We did do a few new things: went to the Traveling Musician Museum at the Kusel Castle, which was really interesting. Each town around here in the 1800's had groups of people whose livelihood was being a musician and composing. There was a whole museum dedicated to them at the Kusel Castle, Burg Lichtenburg. That was a great Sunday morning on Conference Sunday trip.

Another trip was to the Sinsheim Space and Auto Museum with literally 100's of old cars. We decided all future visits of the Grandfathers need to include that museum. Erik is pictured with his favorite car--except of course his own 1991 BMW 316. Marissa, Anneliese's friend, went with us and spent 2 days with us. She is part of the family too. There, they also had playing orchestras and models with old dresses and clothing. We decided it was for the wives of the guys who came to look at the cars--a real multi-attraction museum. It also has a lot of WW II tanks, some real planes up in the air on top of the buildings with stairs up so you can go in them.

Of course, we went to Hambachtal swimming one day and went to Dellfeld to the Schnitzel Restaurant, Zum Schwartzbachtal where the best schnitzel in Germany is found and the only place where I eat meat. Erik and Anne's schnitzels are pictured . We ate for two days to get them all eaten, very good. For future visitors, we should always take you there. Other than that, we have had a wonderful time spending time together and playing games. We wish that all of the kids, spouses and grandchildren could have attended--future times.

Now as the week is over and my 30 days of convalescent leave is nearing an end, we have had a wonderful time. I just wish I could have worked on the endless list of "honey do's" that I have assigned myself and to which I have been assigned by the President of the Gimsbacher Jackson Farm House.