Show and tell Friday

Kelli is hosting this Show and Tell friday today. I thought it would be interesting to do.
The angel in the middle will always be very special to me. Of course they all are, especially the ones that were gifts. Jack gave me this one for Christmas in 2003. Not so special you say? Let me tell you about that time in my life. 2003 and 2004 were not easy years.

In October of 2003, my 93 year old Grandmother passed away. She had been like my mom since my mother died when I was 9. Although I was glad Grams wasn't suffering anymore it still is hard to let them go. Just as I was getting through that another blow came. The Monday before Christmas Jack became very ill and ended up in the hospital. He had a very bad case of pancreatitis and was one step away from being in the ICU! He had to go without food for a few days to give his pancreas time to rest. Come to find out he had a bad gallbladder and had to have surgery the week after Christmas. I ended up bringing all our gifts to the hospital and we celebrated there and opened presents. That angel kept me company and eased my loneliness and sadness until Jack came home on New years Day.
In March, just as Jack was starting to get better, our little dog Bubba became ill. 3 weeks later, Bubba had to be put to sleep at the age of 6 and a half. I have told you the story of Bubba before so I will spare the retelling. It just so happens the day we lost Bubba was the same day in 1969 when my mom passed away. All those emotions just about did me in! I suffered a severe depressive episode with my bi polar and had to quit working. I have been unable to work since then.
As if all that wasn't enough, on September 26 of that year our friend Mary passed away just two days after her 46th birthday. She had fought cancer for nearly 10 years and although I wouldn't want her to suffer that anymore, I really miss her.
Through all this, the angel Jack had given me was a reminder of the angels God places in our lives to comfort and help us through the tough spots. So you see, that angel will always hold a special reminder in my heart.