02/28/2006: "The Box, The Blanket, The Friendship"
It's the end of the month! No sign of Spring.
Outdoors it's minus 21. Tomorrow is March 1st.
Everyday here is always a special day filled with special moments, no matter how trival.
Today was extra special because of the BOX.
Human speaking here;
I never get gifts. It's very rare. Yet I'm surrounded by gifts.
I'm one of those people who never wins things either. Yet I seem to have won hearts all over the world!
*I got a box today at the office*
Delivered by Federal Express.
It was for me!
What's Up With That?
I opened the box and I cried. Tears flowing down my cheeks is a rare display of emotion. Worthy of a picture, blackmail material for anyone who really knows me.
This little box was filled with someone's touching rendition of my own cherished moments and memories.
My own little private chuckles, giggles and poignant experiences were literally unfolding on my desk, right before my eyes.
I laid it out on my desk - mesmorized at it's beauty, originality and thoughtfullness of this piece of art work.
I ran home and showed it to my neighbour. You know the one; the sexy blonde chick with the skinny legs... that one. She had tears in her eyes too! She was as touched as I was, and the blanket wasn't even for her.
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My neighbour asked who sent it.
I said: "Patti Bushman"
Neighbour asked: "Who's Patti Bushman"
I said: "Well, I don't know, but she's a friend, with a heart of gold. She lives in Michigan"
Neighbour asked: "But WHY did she make this for you"
I said: "Because she has too much love in her heart"
Patti Bushman, is a person who I met in a e-group, online on the internet, only a very few months ago.
We chew the pei fat everyday, swap stories and notes and ask pei questions.
Everyone knows about MeiMei's illness. Patti, all of a sudden one day, decided she should do something to help MeiMei.
Pattie Bushman, on her own volitation, and much to our surprise, hand made and exquisite, queen sized bed quilt, covered in memories, and dedicated to MeiMei. This quilt she raffled off, to help raise money for MeiMei's medical expenses. Patti also raffled a beautiful sketch of a Shar-pei which was donated to this cause by another person with too much love in their heart; Lisa Brown. Lisa, another person, who I happened to meet on the web, in a newsgroup. We had no idea that Merlin and his silly little stories had touched the hearts and homes of so many!
Q: Are there still good people on this earth?
A: Oh yes. I'm very convinced of that.
Patti Bushman, forgot no one in her work. Patti honoured King Merlin, Princess Mei Mei, and Lady Sassafrass. Everyone is commemorated on this stunning work of art.
Blanket is not even the correct word to describe this collage of so many happy personal memories I've enjoyed with my family members, my chowdren and pei-lings. These are momentary vignettes of personal joy, that never, in my wildest dreams, would I have thought, had any impact on anyone else.
This work has to stay with us forever of course. I know now, that in my old days yet to come, as I sit in my wheelchair staring aimlessly out the window, my knees covered with this blanket, should my mind finally go soft, I won't have to look very far to remember the many precious moments I shared with those I love.
THANK YOU PATTI BUSHMAN
From our hearts. The world is a far better place because of you!
You have taught us the value of friendship even more.
We applaude you Patti, and want the world to know who you are.
To top off my day, Sassy learned the *Sit* word today finally!
NOT SO Trival details
Here is the original quilt handcrafted by Patti Bushman.
This is the one which was raffled off and won by a Ms. Nancy Allen of Tennessee.
What is clear is that Patti Busman is a very gifted seamstress and possesses that rare quality of
being able to transpose emotion into objects of beauty. More Details HEre
For Mei Mei
PS: For your information, Patti doesn't only do shar-pei. She does lots of other breeds as well.
Please let me know if you would like to contact her for more information.
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Chowy Woofs!: 23 Chowy Comments
on Tuesday, February 28th, Merlin's Mom said
To Everyone who purchased raffle tickets and to all those who heard of MeiMei's raffle, I wanted to enclose my original thank you to Patti and to all of you:
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Thank you are not the right words to say to someone like Patti Bushman. We know not what to say that is more appropriate. We have spent the past 5 months in tears, pain, agony and fear over a situation by which we've had no control. It was taken all away from us this day, when we found out what Patti has so unselfishly offered to do.
How do we stop this kind of enthusiasm and love from someone we've never even met? While Our arms really did have to be twisted to go along with Patti's plan, we accept the importance of Patti's feelings and committement to wanting to help, not us, but MeiMei, for who she so loves.
So Patti, we want to say, "Thank You", from the bottom of our hearts, but we know that you deserve so very much more, for your unselfish gift, not only to our family, but to so many others. We also bless the entire shar-pei community who we've come to know and care for, and who have offered such unconditional caring and support for us.
Patti you are truly a blessed person, not only to us, but to your community, your peers around you and to all shar-pei. It is "we", who could all learn from., "you". It is all the Patti Bushmans in the world, who make this world a far better place to live in. What would we do without you?
We are tired of shedding tears, even tears of happiness. You have made us smile forever Patti. May HIS bright light ALWAYS being shining down onto you.
With love, respect and heartfelt thanks
Kathy , Merlin and MeiMei and Sassy
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Lisa "Brown" Bouchard said
What an absolutely gorgeous gift. Patti outdid herself. Kathy, King Merlin, Princess MeiMei and my special girl Sassy, I can think of noone who deserves that gift more than you. You have touched our lives in many ways. God bless you and may everyone continue in good health! AND congratulations Sassy on learning "sit"! The difference I see in that sweet girl from the day we met you at the border is just a miracle.
Lisa
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Sandra said
MM.that is so wonderful and beautiful...There are some wonderful people in some of these groups..You have been blessed...
I had a wonderful friend give me a pei to replace my Snookie I cried for days over that
kindness..Thats my Emmie
Your new pei name, Sassy makes my eyes perk up thats my blind pei's name Sassy.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Sandra
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Sandra said
MM.that is so wonderful and beautiful...There are some wonderful people in some of these groups..You have been blessed...
I had a wonderful friend give me a pei to replace my Snookie I cried for days over that
kindness..Thats my Emmie
Your new pei name, Sassy makes my eyes perk up thats my blind pei's name Sassy.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Sandra
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Linda and the furkids said
MM
You are right it is a very special edition. What a lovely quilt and so
thoughtful of her to make it. Kisses to your fur babies from mine and big
hugs from me.
Linda and the furkids
Sweetie@the bridge 12/10/04
Sophie@the bridge 9/10/05
Boo@the bridge 9/24/05
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Laura B. said
I just LOVE that!!! What a wonderful gift!!!
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on Tuesday, February 28th, dawn said
Well if anyone deserves this specail gift, it is you and your fur babies.
You will go out of your way for just about anyone, and help whenever possible, I consider you a wonderful fried, even though we have only known eachother a few months.
Patti did an amazing job...I'm jealous. Now I'll have to order one..who cares about the cost..I know by looking at yours she really cares, and will fill the blanket with love. :)
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Michelle said
What a wonderful touching story. There is good in people!!!!
Michelle
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Joleen and the peibies said
Merline, It is with tears of love for you and MeiMei and Sassy and Kathy and Patti and Lisa and Dawn. All of you make my days better. What a stunning show of Love!!!
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on Tuesday, February 28th, CD said
This gets my vote as the #1 pet story of the year. Including cast, pets, and associated characters and contributors.
CD
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on Tuesday, February 28th, Ted Shelton said
There are no words coming yet... and you know it is quite rare for me to be speechless... That was a very nice gift she gave you.
Kathy, your work with Merlin and MeiMei and Sassy inspires others of us who have blind or otherwise impaired dogs, especially Chows and Peis, to do more, to gain new appreciation for the ones we are helping, and to learn to express ourselves, to learn to see some FUN in what we do, to have a daily reminder that we are not alone in what we do. If I had any artistic talent, maybe I could have made a blanket too. But the only thing I have is words, so I sometimes try to give you some words, of interest, of encouragement, of thanks for the lessons you teach us....
I am happy for you that you got such a nice gift. Sorry I am not more eloquent...
E-Hugs to you and the fur-kids...
-Ted
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Arlene said
What a wonderful gift, made with love and from the heart!
Arlene, Little Bit, Pepper & Freddie...the Duck.
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Mary Ann said
Wow, that is just awesome Kathy. The world really can be a beautiful place, just imagine!
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Kelly and the Crew said
I can't stop crying. What a wonderful gift. Pattie is truely a wonderful person and I cannot think of a more deserving person. Thank you MM for all the love and support that you have given all of us in the Shar-Pei community. And thank you King Merlin, Princess MeiMei, and Lady Sassafrass for all the laughs.
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Sarah Parrish said
It makes my heart smile to see such wonderful people in this world.
Sarah
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Jacque' said
MM,
This is truly a wonderful story and what a marvelous support system to have in place!!! You leave out one very important part of this story, however, and that is the kind of tender, loving care you give your babies. You went above and beyond what many would have done and for that you should stand up and take credit!!!
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Melissa said
What an absolutely beautiful blanket and story to go along with it!
Your stories are inspirations to everyone!
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Pattie said
No one deserves this more than you, and those wonderful babies you care for. Give big hugs to the King and his royal court. Kathy you are an inspiration to everyone whom you meet!
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Christine Farnell said
We are all so blessed to know so many beautiful people, loving animals, and heartfelt emotions such as the ones I feel right now for this kind gesture. I am simply overwhelmed to have been able to share the love. Thank you...what an absolute lovely gift. In every way. You all made my day!!!!
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on Wednesday, March 1st, Andrea Robins said
Kathy,
What a beautiful, sweet tribute to you and your very special family.
I can only imagine how much Patti's thoughtfulness is appreciated.
You will traesure it always.
Andrea Robins
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on Wednesday, March 1st, jackie said
I have tears running down my face. That is one of the most thoughtful gifts one could give or receive. There is no monetary value for something like that. I wish I would have known you were trying to raise money for Mei-Mei's medical bills. Maybe some of us Illinois pei lovers could have helped, too!
Jackie
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on Thursday, March 2nd, Veronica and Chen said
WOW! Just wow.
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on Friday, March 3rd, Michèle (Sam's friend in T.O.) said
Hey Kathy - this is amazing. I wish I had known about the raffle, as I would gladly have bought a ticket. Even though my pets are two common or garden alley cats, a Golden Retriever and two lovebirds, we felt for you in the painful period when Mei-Mei was so ill and were so glad to hear of her recovery.
Patti Bushman is certainly a very special person and she deserves all the praise people are giving her.
We all know how hard it is when animals are ill; all one can do is give them as much love and care as possible - they know!
They give us so much and ask so little.
Much love to Merlin, too and I hope to see all of you next time I come down to the farm!
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