Sudokuaholics Anonymous 8

The armed hold up in Epping at 7am this morning was right outside where I took Laura to get her hair cut yesterday! I had better go and start packing. Off to Melbourne tomorrow. Hope you have some good weather for us over the weekend Gail.

Thanks for letting us know here on SA about Sammy. I know what that doggie meant to Liz, he was family. Here is a link to Liz's page, for any who want to leave her a note there. I am not sure she reads SA all the time.

http://sudoku.com.au/UserPage.aspx?Go=E4-1-1966&Pg=3&UID=11671

Hope this helps some of you find her easily.

Broni, good job getting Rainbow Bridge posted for her. I was looking for my copy when I saw you had posted it.

I read other posts, looked at photos, but that news sort of filled my mind and pushed all my comments right out. I will be back later.

Partly cloudy with isolated showers on Friday and cloudy the rest of the weekend, 16s and 17s...best I can do June!
Seeing the grandies?

MizT, I will be sure to let Liz know of all the posts.

Just on my way to bed -
Lizzie - so sorry about Sammy.
Broni - have a great time in Tamworth with Teresa - rug up, it's cold in them thar hills.
June - I didn't hear about that armed hold-up in Epping but that's too close for comfort. Enjoy Melbourne. Had a smile about what you said on easy about being a listener not a talker - I'm like that in person - I listen and observe, especially when I'm with people I don't know, but you wouldn't guess it here, would you!! Hehehe. Night all, catch you in the morning.

Lizzy - I spelt your name wrong, but the sentiments are still the same - RIP Sammy.

Good morning/evening SA8ers!! Los Angeles Lakers won last night!! WOO HOO!!! Yep, very little voice this morning...Weather supposed to be GORGEOUS the rest of the week!! Going to Salt Lake City today with hubby (my day to play)and tomorrow to get my hair done. Getting it colored & cut...
Hugs to Liz over the passing of Sammy. My thoughts are with you at this tough time.
TTFN! Will try to pop in later today.

Lizzie my dear - so sorry to hear about sweet Sammy - my heart goes out to you and Gizmo.
Sending you a big hug that I will deliver in person about 5 months from now.

I did it again! Had comments to about half a dozin or more people, and lost them all. I hate when that happens, but this was an opertor error and I am the operator!

I remember a thank you to Gail, good wishes for trips to Broni and June, something to Nola, praise for Vici's photos, not expecting Heidi early today, and others that CRAFT has erased.

I am of to have a muffin, that muffin that was the cause of loosing my post. I was hunting how to spell Drury Lane, and my search page zapped the SA8 page.

Everybody.
It all night long. So much for sleeping a lot.
Lizzy... I saw so sorry to hear about Sammy. I understand what you're going through. You lost a family member who loved you unconditionally. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here. OK?

Rest In Peace, Sammy.

dyslexia attack. saw = was.

I just checked with MapQuest. It's only 12 hours and 45 minutes to Daytona Beach. Easier than expected.

Nobody to talk to, so might as well do ffuts.

The Sandpiper
by Robert Peterson


She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live.
I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world
begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something
and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.


"Hello," she said.


I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.


"I'm building," she said.


"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring.


"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."


That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.


A sandpiper glided by.


"That's a joy," the child said.


"It's a what?"


"It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy."


The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself,
hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed
completely out of balance.


"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.


"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."


"Mine's Wendy... I'm six."


"Hi, Wendy."


She giggled. "You're funny," she said.


In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on.
Her musical giggle followed me.

"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."


The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings,
and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out
of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.


The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was
chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.


"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"


"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.


"I don't know. You say."

"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.


The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."


"Then let's just walk."


Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
"Where do you live?" I asked.


"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.


Strange, I thought, in winter.


"Where do you go to school?"


"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation"


She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was
on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.


Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach i

Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no
mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt
like demanding she keep her child at home.


"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd
rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.


"Why?" she asked.


I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought,
My God, why was I saying this to a little child?


"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."


"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and -- oh, go away!"


"Did it hurt?" she inquired.


"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.


"When she died?"


"Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding,
wrapped up in myself. I strode off.


A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there.
Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up
to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking
young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.


"Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today
and wondered where she was."


"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much.
I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance,
please, accept my apologies."


"Not at all --! she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing
that I meant what I had just said.


"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia
Maybe she didn't tell you."


Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.


"She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no.
She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered, "She left
something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"


I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young
woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in bold
childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach,
a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:


A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.


Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love
opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,
I'm so sorry," I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little
picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year
of her l

Six words -- one for each year
of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.


A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand
-- who taught me the gift of love.



NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20
years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder
to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other.
The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.


Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas
can make us lose focus about what is truly important
or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.

Do you realize that I'm the ONLY one to post here in over 5 hours?

Lovely story Heidi. Good morning all. Just getting my 'fix' to last for the next few days.

Morning all!
Heidi, great story! Hope you get to go away.

I've been caught up in science - trying to relearn stuff so I don't look like an idiot.

Off I go.....

Have a great day everyone!

Good morning.
Enjoy the break away June.
Nice story,I hope the little girl wasn't frightened by Robert telling her it hurt to die.

Good afternoon all. Just stopping in for a minute. have to help Mitchell finish his project. Mitchell got his scores today for the big statewide test he took a few months ago. He did well in reading and even better in math. He had a perfect math score. Sorry, had to be proud mama and brag a little.

Lizzy, sorry about your loss of Sammy. If you need a shoulder, I will be glad to give you one of mine.

Here I am, but a bit late to help heidi fill about 5 hours! busy again today, and what sewing I t5ried was not successful. I am relearning how to machine applique, each machine and new presser foot brings new challenges!

It is warm, nice breeze, but boy is it muc=ggy. Dew point is very high again today. That gulf is feeding us moist air still.

Off to fling food, vegetable slice tonight.

See you all later.

TAMI, of course you must brag on Mitchell. Not often you see a perfect score on those big tests. congratulations , son, you done good

JUNE, how long will you be away??

Thank you everyone for the lovely messages -- They were very comforting --
yesterday was -- well awful -- I held him close and then he was gone -- I am going to miss my little man so much -- I know my heart will get over this pain -- it does bring the memories of past grief back to the surface -- but for the first time I am able to grieve openly.
thank you all again for your support.

Heidi, your story was very sad. It's a reminder to always be thoughtful because you just never know!

Liz, (((hugs)))!

Congrats Tami to Mitchell! That's great! He must be really proud of himself!

June, have fun in Melbourne!

Broni, have a good time with Teresa!

Don't remember what else.

Hope you are feeling better Stella. He is pretty excited. We may even have to buy him a present.

Morning everyone..

Not really here.. out and about this morn.

Long weekend coming up here in Perth, Hubby and I will be away retreating to the Hills with Friends.
Going late this afternoon, back on Monday.

June: enjoy yourself at your Grandson's birthday.

and Thanks for the Tips keep them coming

For Mitchell...not too OTT I hope!

Liz.. sorry to hear about Sammy.


((((((((HUGS))))))))

Have a great weekend June and Rolanda.

Tami

WELL DONE Mitchell

Thanks Gail..

Hello, SA8!

Liz, I'm so sorry to hear about Sammy! Do you need a copy of the Rainbow Bridge?

Suzy, congrats on being part-way into the practicum! You're nearly there, girl!

Congrats to Mitchell, Tami! You deserve to be proud!

Enjoy your time away, June and Rolanda!

I hope you will be able to make the Florida gathering, Heidi!

Hi Julie!

Rolanda, have a great weekend away!

Has anyone heard any news about Jill yet?

Good morning lovely people.
Heidi - lovely story - I have tears in my eyes.
Tami - congrats to Mitchell - he's a smart boy and you have every right to be proud.
Rolanda - enjoy your long weekend away.
Hi to Julie, MizT, Gail, Suzy, Stella, Nola, June and Suzanne - and more hugs to Lizzy.

Finally finished typing Mitchell's project. It wasn't too bad, just had to find pictures to put on every page, minimum of ten pages.
Rolanda, enjoy your weekend away.
I am counting down, 5-4-3-2-1 School's out for summer.

do I dare try for a BOPP??