A Fantastic Letter

[Judy Harder]

This was so sweet I had to share it with you all

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to
know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter offic
of the US postal service.

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. I told her that I thought we could so she
dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in
heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog
even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play
with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her
you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and
addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith
pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would
take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon
she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she
asked 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
addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside
was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "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 was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I
recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in
your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in
heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it
back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to
remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you
write it and sending it to me. 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 wherever there is love.
Love, God