Snowy Goes to the Rainbow Bridge

My beloved Snowy is now at the Rainbow Bridge due to injuries sustained in a car accident.  Soon to be five, Snowy followed our other Cavalier, Dootsie, through a hole in the fence and ran straight for the road where she was hit.  A nice man named Brian rounded up Dootsie and brought Snowy to the yard.  She had a lot of spunk and didn't want to be hurt.  Mom called me at work and I raced home. We quickly got to the vet and knew the outlook was not the best as she had no feeling in her back legs.  After the x-rays, we knew that her back was broken in two places.  The injuries were non repairable nor in her best interests.  The staff at the Pocomoke Vet Clinic were excellent and compassionate as we made the difficult decision.  She was sedated and calm as I spent our time together and as she drifted into that good night, I was hugging her and telling her that I'd see her again.  I kissed her head and snout.  She knew that her "owneress" was there and that she was deeply loved.  Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury handled Snowy and now she sits on the mantle in a cute urn that reads, "Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge."  It is never easy to say good-bye unexpectedly to a beloved pet.  We must love them through it and do what is best for them.  I only want to kiss her on the head and rub her ears again.  She had such an unforgettable face!  Everyone always was drawn in by her sweet face! 
 We love you Snowy!

Everlasting Love - Minute 1:14 Gosh he looks like Mike!

Remembering My Beloved Father

9/17/1945 ~ 11/9/2009 Early in the quiet hours of Monday morning, November 9, 2009, Carlos Edgar Alderman, 64, of Vinton, Va., peacefully passed away surrounded by the members of his loving family. He will be ever so sadly missed, but most fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was truly a kind man with a giving heart.
Nothing made him happier than to help others and to see that his family was taken care of. As many people of the valley would agree, he was a man who had the gift of speaking and working with others whether it was as an outstanding car salesman at Fincastle Oldsmobile, a successful entrepreneur of C & H Motors, a dedicated Hereford Cattleman, or compassionately working with grieving families at both Oakey's Funeral Service and Lotz Funeral Homes. Some of his favorite things to do throughout his life were to make the holidays very special, dote on his nieces and nephews, and to spring surprises on his beloved family. He will be remembered for his fabulous tales of his life adventures, which included being a race car driver, and skydiving with his Canadian friend, Dennis Debler.
His beloved family includes, his wife of 47 years, Brenda Felts Alderman; daughters, Mickey Alderman (Steven) Goad and Kim Alderman (Brian) Slaughter. He was so very proud of their accomplishments! He was also the beloved grandfather, "Poppy" to Julia, Brandon, Ruslan, Keeley and Stephanie. They were all precious and dear to him. He enjoyed lavishing them with his affection and special surprises. He is also survived by his brothers, Gaylon (Elsie) Alderman, of Oklahoma, and Martin Alderman, of Hillsville; and three sisters, Guida Nester and Wanda Mullins, both of Hillsville, and Velma (Van) Nester, of Christiansburg.
Words cannot express our sincere gratitude to the Vinton Lifesaving Crew and the ICU Unit on Nine South at Roanoke Memorial Hospital for their exemplary care and compassion. We would also like to especially thank our dear family friend, Judy Cahoon, for her constant care and companionship during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Vinton Life Saving Crew, Good Samaritan Hospice, or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. In accordance with Carlos' wishes, his remains will be cremated afterwards. Loving, Giving, Heart of Gold, those aspects were the true essence of his character... and that is how he will be remembered.

My Royal Rossickle

 

Favorite Quotes from Famous People

Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security.
Benjamin Franklin

The Opened Gate

This poster reminds me of the phrase that is on the back of Mike's tombstone. It gives me peace to have that picture and know that the phrase was one of Mike's favorites.

http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getposter.asp&APNum=2114774&CID=1DB50A3593DF4EE6ADF70F4248A8B8D4&PPID=1&search=opened%20gate&f=t&FindID=0&P=1&PP=3&sortby=PD&cname=&SearchID=

In all my being is no ripple or unrest
For I have opened into you the wide gates of my being
and like a tide you have flowed into me.

Want to Make A Memory?

You're Never Far From My Memories - Mike

I saw Bon Jovi's "Want to Make a Memory" on You Tube the other night. It really touched my heart and brought you to my mind. You're never far and you know that. I visit you in my mind and a smile or a laugh will come to pass. Sometimes you visit me through a song on the radio or by chance through a video like the Bon Jovi song I just mentioned. I remember and still have the Bon Jovi CD you got me for our first and what would be our last Christmastime. I often think what would you be saying to me, like Jon is in the video. In tribute, I'm embedding this video into the blog because it is special to me...because of you.