Wow that salad looks so yummy I think I will leave the picture posted a few more days! I guess you can tell by my blog and the picture of my "furry babies" how much I love my dogs - but I'm sure they love me more! They are sensitive and do get their feelings hurt - if I am petting Lexie - then Harley usually just ducks his head and goes away and vice versa. But on the other hand, I can really scold one of them and in just a little bit they forgive me and are back wanting to be loved -- which I give! So when I read this story - it spoke to me - about the love we receive when we don't even deserve it!
Anyone who has pets will really like this.
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day.
It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure. Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.
Submitted by Audrey, Emmitsburg, MD.
That pretty much says it all! Except that this story made me think of how God covers us with His love. Zephaniah 3: 17 says: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" How powerful is that?
One more thing I want to bring up! I know there are three definitions of the word "LOVE" in the Bible and I know I just said I "LOVE" my dogs (and I do!) - but what does "LOVE" mean to you? I think to young couples it means "making love"; to others it may mean being a slave to someone; or just coming home to someone every day; or buying someone gifts. I've thought about that alot lately and how focus changes and how we all view it differently. I've always been someone that desparetely needs to be told "I love you" and needed to be hugged or touched. Oh yes - I love all of the above too - but I also feel loved when Travis takes my car and puts gas in it; when he takes the trash out - and he does all the time; and I felt loved when I came home and he had washed and painted our deck and outdoor kitchen! So what makes you feel loved? I know we are all loved by God, so much that He gave his Son for us - but do we focus on that love when we are lonely and don't feel loved? We should - but I think we often forget and feel hurt or slighted if we don't receive the love we feel we need!!!
Ok - here is a salad that sounds absolutely delicious and I am anxious to make. It only has 160 calories per 1 cup and is definitely heart healthy.
POTATO SALAD WITH HERBS AND GRILLED SUMMER SQUASH
SALAD
2 lbs. small red potatoes
3/4 pound yellow squash, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices
Cooking Spray
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (I will definitely use Penzeys!)
DRESSING
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
(I would use dried if I didn't have all of these handy - maybe try for a couple of the fresh - like parsley and chives)
1/4 tsp. grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped cornichons (Cornichon is the French version of a gherkin or "sweet pickles!)
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. To prepare salad, place potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 18 minutes or until tender. Drain; cut potatoes into quarters, and place in a large bowl and set aside.
3. Lightly coat squash with cooking spray, Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Place squash on grill rack; grill 2 minutes on each side or until browned and tender. Remove squash from heat, and add to potatoes.
4. To prepare dressing, combine all ingredients in small bowl; stir with a whisk. Pour dressing over potato mixture, tossing gently to combine. Serve salad warm or chilled.
Sounds delightful!! Try it -- I am going to!!! It yields 6 servings of 1 cup each!1
Have a wonderful tomorrow - and make it better for someone else! Take some clothes to a benevolence center, flowers to a nursing home or to an elderly person, food to a shut-in or resue mission; open the door for someone, just smile! Be blessed.
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