[Gayle_T]

THE POSTAL SERVICE NO ONE HEARS ABOUT
>
> Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my
> 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she
> missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when
> Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.
> She dictated and I wrote:
>
> Dear God,
>
> Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday
> and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us
> have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play
> with her. She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick. I
> am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you
> will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
> Love,
> Meredith Claire
>
> We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and addressed it
> to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it.
>
> Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it
> may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven), and that
> afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.
>
> For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told
> her that I thought He had.
>
> Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch.
> Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and
> said "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and opened
> it.
>
> Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside
> front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened
> envelope. On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped
> under the words "For Meredith".
> We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey,
> and this handwritten note on pink paper:
>
> "Dear Meredith,
>
> I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and
> soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big
> help. I recognized Abbey right away.
>
> You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with
> me--just like she stays in your heart--young and running and playing.
> Abbey loved being your dog, you know.
>
> Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets!-- so
> I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the
> pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey. One
> of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book
> helps.
>
> Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it.
> What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you. I
> send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By
> the way, I am in heaven, but wherever there is love I am there also.
>
> Love,
> God