06/04/2014
A Beautiful Soul Works In The Us Postal Service
abbey_the_dog.jpg
Our 14-year-old dog, Abbey, died in August 2006.
The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.
She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.
She dictated and I wrote:
Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven.
We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick.
I hope that you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and swim.
I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith Claire
P.S.: Mommy wrote the words after Mer told them to her.
We put the letter in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and addressed it “To: God in Heaven.” We put our return address on it, and Mer stuck several stamps on the front (because, as she said, it would take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven).
I took her to the post office and she dropped the letter into the mailbox. For the next few days, she would ask if God had received the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
On Labour Day, we took the kids to Austin to a natural history museum. When we got back, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. It had a card on the front, addressed "To: Mer" in an unfamiliar hand.
Meredith opened the package. Inside was a book by Fred Rogers (of TV’s Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood), When a Pet Dies.
Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope (which was marked “Return to Sender: Insufficient address”).
On the facing page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith."
We turned to the inside back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey and this handwritten note on pink paper:
Dear Meredith,
You will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safe and sound in heaven.
Having the pictures you sent was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick any more. Her spirit is here with me — just like she stays in your heart — young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets! — so I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it back to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I am easy to find: I am in heaven and wherever there is love.
Love,
God (and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words)
As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way of knowing who sent it, but there is a very kind soul working in the U.S. Post Office. Just wanted to share this story of compassion — I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
