Me, Willow, and Gidget at Bookworm Gardens. Photo credit: Cindy Ann Lee
Yesterday was the official opening of Bookworm Gardens for the season —their 4th spring season. There was a family fun run with over 300 participants, which helped raise money for the gardens, since it is free to the public. Afterwards families were free to roam the gardens to explore, read, and have fun.
Gidget and I arrived around 2:00pm. We hung out by Frankie’s spot in the garden, dedicated to her, thanks to Bookworm Gardens, my husband John for building her dog house, and my sponsors, Lynda and David Richardson, and the Richardson Foundation that made it possible with funding for her legacy to live on.
I still find myself getting emotional inside when I see Frankie’s spot in the gardens. Of course, I will always miss her, but the memories I have of our work together are such a blessing to me.
Gidget attracted kids to her quite easily as we sat in the sun near Frankie’s house. As I think about Bookworm Gardens, Frankie, and the Internet today, I smile looking at this photo of me, 5-year old Willow, and Gidget. Willow and her family knew Frankie, then Joie, and now got to meet Gidget. If not for all of this, I’d never have met such a wonderful family and a beautiful little girl. This all means a lot to me.
Another little girl, I think around the age of 8, named Kya smiled from ear to ear petting Gidget. She said, “I talk to animals.” And it was the way in which she said it that was not your usual, I talk to the animals.
I said, “Oh wow. You do?”
“Yup. There is this black cat that won’t go by anyone else. But he comes to me and let’s me hold him. I talk to him.”
“Wow, that is amazing.”
I actually had goosebumps when Kya said this. I also couldn’t help but think of how I really believe we can communicate with animals and how I’ve been exploring that more myself lately. Here was this young girl confirming for me in only the way that a child can, that, of course, if we are open and trust, we can be one with our animal friends.
As she started to skip away a few moments later, I called out to her and said, “Hey Kya!”
She turned around and said, “Yes?”
I said, “Don’t ever stop talking to the animals, okay?”
“Okay, I won’t!” and off she went down the path.
It was only an hour of time yesterday, but an hour that filled my heart with awe and wonder being with Gidget and the kids we met yesterday. There is certainly something quite magical about those gardens!
Unique Opportunity coming Wednesday, May 7th
Coming this Wednesday from 10:00am-Noon CST on my Facebook page, the moderators of Dodgerslist, an organization dedicated to educating pet owners about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) will be available to take your questions. I’ll share more details tomorrow on my blog, so stay tuned.
