A Lesson from Grandpa

(My mom and Grandpa)

I don't remember much about Grandpa Gordy.

He passed away when I was just 4 years old,

but I like to think that he's always with me.

And mostly, I hope that he's proud of me.

There are certain places in Portland that immediately make me think about him.
To me, there are many iconic locations...
One- Portland Outdoor Store.
When I walk or drive by this location,
I feel like I've stepped back in time.
The time when all I did was live and breathe horses.
Every moment thinking or riding...animals have always been my world.

A time when Grandpa Gordy worked downtown.


You see, whenever I help others, I think of my grandpa.

It's funny when you feel like you know someone, but in reality, you don't.
I don't remember sitting in his lap.
I don't remember the sound of his voice.
But I do remember the stories.
The stories make me feel that he's alive
and with me.
I've heard them my entire life.
While listening I can see his crooked smile
and almost hear a laugh...

There are many stories that I adore, but there is one that has always meant something extra special to me.
It exemplifies generosity and the need to help others.
And it lives inside of a ring.

No, this isn't Lord of the Ring or anything like that.
It's just a ring.
A simple...
not something flashy, kind of ring.
It's old, vintage...little tiny stones...and a clouded ruby. (my birthstone)
Just about everything that I love.
Including a story.
Stories are important to me.
They tell me more than anything else.

I've admired this ring for as long as I can remember.
Whenever I see it, I'm reminded about what's important in life...
...people and their journey through life.

It was given to me last year from my mom.
A huge gift, because anything from her dad is of utmost importance.
I actually don't wear it...some day I may,
but it's fragile and needs some tender love and care from a jeweler.

Until that day I will just look at it and remember a little story that goes something like this...
Grandpa Gordy worked at Kelly's Olympian in Portland.
Everyday he was there talking and sharing stories with patrons of the bar.
Frequently he saw a lady come in at the end of the night.
She had a rough life, and though he didn't know for sure,
it was known that she was a prostitute.
Grandpa would talk with her while others would shy away.
It was a different time, but grandpa was also a different guy.
He didn't judge.
He just listened.

I don't know how long she came into the bar before that night.
And I guess it doesn't really matter anyway...
One night she came into the bar and asked my grandpa for money.
She needed to get out of town and didn't have any.
She offered the ring as collateral for the loan.

He knew that the ring wasn't worth the amount of money he gave her,
but he did anyway.
As they traded ring for money,
she said that she would be back for the ring and pay him back every cent.
Somewhere in his heart he knew that she wouldn't be back,
but he didn't care about the money.
A person in need, is a person in need. Period.
Locals knew this to be true about him.
I just love that.

Grandpa never knew what had happened to the woman.
Did she make it out of town?
Was she stopped by the man that left bruises where everyone could see?
An unknown.

I like to think that she made it out
and was so happy that she couldn't bear to step foot back in her old life.
Sadly, that probably wasn't the outcome.

Most of the people that knew my Grandpa have passed, but his memories still live strong.
I share his love and care of people to my students,
in the hope that they will look out for others in the world.
Or maybe they'll just share the story with someone else.
Whatever the method of storytelling doesn't matter...
what matters is the message of love.
Listen to each other with love.
Love each other without judgement.
Help each other without an expectation of repayment.

I think it's an awesome message...
Don't you think?
Let's all try to be a little more loving out in the world.
Imagine what it could do.
I think it would make the world sparkle a bit more.
:)

I love this! (And all of the people in my path.)

One Dollar at a Time

One dollar.
Seems simple enough.
A dollar.
Heck, there are entire stores dedicated to selling things for just one dollar.
Though it is just a dollar, pocket change really,
I think a dollar can do a lot when put into the right hands.

A dollar at a time.  That's what I aim for when I have a bake sale.

One dollar...or two...or 15...it all adds up to one thing.

Dollars joined together can really make a difference.

And in this case, each dollar added up to a fence of freedom for a dog.

Space to safely run. 

A simple request, but when your life consists of what is at the end of a chain, even simple things can seem unreachable.

When I bake, I think about the people that I'm making it for, 

because each person is special and important to me.

And I think about the dogs that it will help.

To me, baking is a joy and the ingredients that I use are just as important.

All summer I pick local berries for jams and pies.  

So when I make a pie, I know that each berry was picked at perfection...and with a lot of love.  

I really try to pack as much love as I can into each one. 

Hopefully you can tell the difference love makes. :)

 Mixed Berry Pie

Above: Gluten and Vegan Pumpkin Pie on the left, Vegan Only Pumpkin Pie on the right

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies- a favorite treat. 

 

I love having a car filled with treats for people. 

It's the best feeling knowing that people will have happy hearts and tummies.

My mom even joined in the fun by making her famous Cinnamon Rolls.
She doesn't make them often, but she will always make them for my heart project of FFF.

The day before Thanksgiving was exhausting for me...
...so many pies and treats to make.
But all of the work crammed into 3 days was absolutely worth it.
When I finally took a moment to count up the donations, I was shocked.  Not only had I met my goal of raising enough money for a fence, I had exceeded. Nothing feels better than knowing that together we can make the difference in the lives of dogs.

So now with Thanksgiving in the past, what is a girl to do?
I'm sure you know what I'm doing...
Yep, planning treats for Christmas.
I definitely need to adapt some recipes to be completely vegan,
but this kind of work is energizing.
Even when I'm exhausted,
I just picture a dog waiting at the end of a chain for someone to come along and release him.
That is my motivation.

Now the big question...what treats to make?
:)  It's a difficult job, but I'm so thankful that it's mine.
And I'm thankful for you too.

Happy Birthday Murph

Dear Murphy,

From the day I saw your picture, I knew that you had to be with me. I probably should of asked questions about your background your life, but you didn't ask about mine, so it didn't matter. You needed a home, I needed you. 

Driving to pick you up I was nervous. Would you like me? Would you want to be my friend? What kind of shelter was I going to anyway? We're you still sick?

Pulling up to the home-shelter, I knew that I was leaving with a dog. There was no way that my heart could walk away without one. Too many dogs with one sweet lady doing everything she could to help a struggling community deal with mistreatment. I still don't know how she did it all, but I'm eternally grateful because she saved my Murph.  She didn't have to pour all that money into your treatment, but she must have seen me, needing you.

I knew that you had Parvo, recently well, but life had been traumatic for you already...You were so little, but it had been rough on your little paws. That was just fine with me, my life had been rough on me too. I figured that we could just travel this rough, crazy world together...A weird, scared, dysfunctional, silly, but awesome team. 

I might have picked you online, but you picked me on that day in that yard. In theory, I don't believe in "love at first sight," but in my life, well, you are the epitome of that. Love, pure and simple...and needy. :) but we both had a hole to fill. My heart had a big one, but your paws were the perfect filler. 

When life was rough and I struggled to go into the world, you were eager and determined to get me out in it. When I felt like sobbing, you just snuggled in and let me. But thankfully, you always found a way to get me out of my sadness. It must have been that goofy face. Or crazy antics. Or boundless energy. Or...it was just you.

It is said that everything happens for a reason. I'm not sure what all of the reasons are or if everything is really needed...But if I had to endure all of it to get a best friend like you Murph, then I'd do it again. You're it. And so worth it. 

So thank you Murphy for letting me be your human.  People may call you my dog, but we both know the truth. You're the healer of my heart and you made me sparkle again. 
Thanks buddy...I needed that.

Happy 4th Birthday! 

All my heart, 

Your Girl