I found these pictures on an old computer. They were taken on 12/25/04. This is Jonna (my niece), her husband, Dave, and their dog at the time--Gimli. As you can see, Gimli was a miniature Dachshund. I love these pictures because you can see how much Dad and Mom loved these little dogs! They were always dog sitting for all of us. Sometimes they'd have 2 or 3 at one time. I like the last picture of Dad--I can just hear him saying "Coon's a good doggie". He called all the dogs Coon. I don't know why! I love how he's talking to Gimli and Gimli is looking up at him.

I miss these times when we were all together.

Susie

I had tuna salad for lunch today. I actually made it myself! It was better than Subway's. I was trying/hoping to duplicate Mom's tuna salad. Hers was so good and the only I've ever had that didn't taste too fishy. Mine was pretty good but needs some tweaking. I'm pretty sure she used Miracle Whip and I used Hellman's. I know she put sweet pickles in but mine didn't taste the same. Maybe she used a different brand. Of course, it is times like these when I beat myself up for not paying more attention to the things she made. Having tuna salad was a tradition in Lent for us. She made it on Fridays. Today is Good Friday--the last Friday in Lent, but I wanted to try it anyway. It felt comforting to sit there and eat a homemade tuna salad sandwich and think of Mom.

The Easter Sunday Mass intention is for Mom and Dad. I donated money in their name for Easter flowers. I always tried to go to Mass with them on special days like Easter and Christmas (usually we went different Masses). One year we went to St. Mary's for Mass and they didn't have any servers show up, so Dad and this other guy served Mass! That was something I'll never forget--this man around 80 years old being an altar "boy". I know it meant a lot to him and I know he enjoyed doing it. There are pictures somewhere.

I miss you Mom and Dad. I love you.

Susie