A Little Love




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" April 15, 2004 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com. Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e- cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To join, send an e-mail with subscribe written in the subject line to: subscribe@write2theheart.com. Do you have a heart-touching or inspiring story to share? Send it in the body of a plain email, no graphic or colorful back- grounds please. Write 'submission' in the subject line. Don't forget to write a brief bio to introduce yourself to our readers. You may include your family friendly websites, information on your books, newsletters, and upcoming projects. Email your submission to: moderator@write2theheart.com. We always love to hear stories from new, first time writers. Until the end of June, I have a writer’s appreciation gift of a bookmark and pin for each writer whose story appears in Write 2 the Heart. There is a limit of three per author. There will be a new appreciation gift offered in July. A little bit of love goes a long way, especially if that little bit of love is a personable white bunny that leaves his imprint on your heart forever. A Little Love By Mary-Ellen Grisham Yes, siree, that's what Bunnsie McBun was--a little love. We wanted David to learn to care for a pet, and his country grand- mother gave him the white rabbit shortly before Easter one year when he was about eight. A little character in his own right, Bun had his own hutch and the run of the backyard, where he promptly proceeded to dig "hidey" holes under most of the bushes. He played many roles in his time--shy bun, exploring bun, hero bun, white prince, and finally ole' grandfather bun. I remember looking out the kitchen window one late spring day to see a small friendly dog squeeze through the back gate where there was a little gap between it and the chain link fence. Bun was stretched out in white prince mode surveying his backyard kingdom from the shade of a tall tree trunk. I panicked and went running out with lunch scraps to divert the friendly mixed breed from our precious bun. Bunnsie didn't twitch a hair. With a knowing look, he stayed put while I lured the small dog to a side gate with scraps to nose. After I rid the backyard of the intruder, Bun gave me a superior look as if to say, "You thought that little bit was gonna bother me? No way!" When visiting kids would leave the side gate open, we would occasionally get a big intruder, a dog with real bite. A white blur would streak across the yard, making a complicated leap over and under branches and into a favorite "hidey hole," leaving the huge visitor to whine in frustration. A short while later, when the intruder was gone, Bun would tentatively emerge to play his own dog game. He would sidle up to the back stoop area, looking hungry. Now mind you, this well-fed critter always had feed and water in the hutch and plenty of green grass or lettuce/carrots to eat. He just loved to fetch bread, though. Eyeing him through the window, David or I would take bread out and throw pieces to him yelling, "Bread, Bun, bread!" Never to disappoint, Bunnsie would graze the bread along with the grass, grinning from ear to ear. His biggest hero role was survival during his night adventures with the wild rabbits. Come dusk, if we were too slow putting him in the hutch for the night, he would squeeze out by the gate to join the wild rabbits in the field. The next morning about breakfast time, he would show up by the back gate, looking nonchalant, expecting to be "rescued," returned to his hutch, and fed up good and proper. One morning, after one of these very occasional night adventures, Bunnsie was no where in sight. David and I were really worried, and I called and called for him--one sure way to bring him out of the field. Happening to look up the row of backyards, I saw a neighbor throwing him pieces of bread. Contented bun was in no hurry to come home, but we insisted! David had many experiences with his little friend and faithfully cared for him at two homes over almost nine long years. In his last year, grandpa bun was a little slow to fetch and had to have "the pink stuff" from the vet a few times, but he was loving and loyal to the last. We held him close during his final illness, bathed him gently with warm water, and fed him very small pieces of food and small amounts of water. After we comforted him for the last time, we placed him in the golden glow of a sunset washing his hutch with light. He turned to look at us with all the love and knowing of a long and faithful relationship. As the sun set, Bunnsie closed his eyes and simply fell asleep. We know he will be waiting for us in our final Special Place, just over the Rainbow Bridge. ©2004 Mary-Ellen Grisham meginrose @ empowering.com Mary-Ellen is a Christian author living with her husband and son in Godfrey, Illinois. She has written for published collections and Internet sites, online ezines, and newsletters. Currently the Editor of Eternal Ink, a twice-monthly Christian ezine, she enjoys the sharing and fellowship with inspirational sites and newsletters. www.eternal-ink.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com. Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen. They have several long distance plans to chose from; I personally use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my own toll free number for my family to be able to call home when they are out of town. I have used it more times than I care to remember over the last three years in emergency situations. Cognigen has more than just great long distance rates; they have calling cards, internet access, web hosting services and much more. You can check out all of their telecommunication products and services at http://ld.net/?cbspeir. Letters From Our Readers Ialso admired Annette's friend's perseverance inthe story, "Staying in Balance" as her Annette did. It isn't often that you can read of a person's perseverance like we did with Annette's story. I thought that the story showed such determination and perseverance that I forwarded it to a prayer partner of mine (she's an 18 year old person who has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer) in case she doesn't subscribe to the Write2the Heart message. I don't usually forward messages to those e-mail correspondents of mine. Thanks for the message! It brought a chuckle to me when I read of those boots missing two heels and they were still on Annette's friend's feet. Barbara Bullock Hi Cheryl, I rec'd my bookmark and pin today. They are so beautiful. That was a very touching and thoughtful gesture and you have brightened my day. Thank you for printing my stories. In Him, Angela Walker I couldn’t help but laugh at the mental picture of a girl hobbling across the campus to get to her class. Her poor feet! I hope she did well on the test after that work out. Linda C. Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Jonathan P. Wells Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.