Wee-Z And The Big Black Bear

Dear Byron,

I wrote to your Mommy and Daddy about some excitement we had up here in Pagosa Springs, CO. this past week. I was taking my daily walk around the neighborhood and GGMa was standing on the back porch deck when suddenly she saw a bear like the one in this photo come ambling across the meadow from the west toward our house. This in itself was quite a surprise, because, while we've seen a herd of elk, several foxes and coyotes, we've never seen a bear near our house. I did encounter one way up the hill in the woods one time, but never down in our area.

Anyway, what got GGMa really excited was that our little Pecka-poo, Wee-Z, the brave, 10 pound defender of our house, took off after Mr. Bear, barking and warning him to get out of here. GGMa said she yelled at Wee-Z to stop, but to no avail. That ol' bear didn't belong and Wee-Z was gonna see that he ran away. GGMa says she was so afraid the bear would scoop him up for a one mouthful meal. Thankfully the bear ignored our little guardian and went on his way. Nevertheless Wee-Z stood his ground and barked until the bear was gone.

For a time, after she lost sight of the bear behind the house, GGMa says she thought he had gone into our garage—the door was open—to look for a garbage bag full of goodies. However, when she cautiously pushed open the side door to peek in, no bear. He had proceeded on down our driveway and off into the neighbor's yard. Wee-Z scared him off! don't ya think?

You can read more about the current bear problem up here in the Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper -that's where I found this photo and and read the story about bears. It seems that this spring's dry weather  up here in the mountains has left the bears without adequate wild food, so they've started to come among the houses looking for garbage, bird seed, left-over bar-b-que and anything else they can find.

I'm happy that you have a doggie in your house. Her name is Tootsie and I'll bet you and she have become great friends. Of course, you don't have any bears in Houston, except at the zoo, but you should be happy that your dear little animal-sister is with you to raise the alarm should any other critter or person try to break into your house.

As a boy I always had a doggie to play with me. We roamed the farm and were fast friends and companions. And I'm happy to see that you have Tootsie to be your friend as well. Give her a big hug for GGMa and me.

We love you,

GGPa

When You Were Born

Dear Byron,

It will be a few years before you are able to read and understand what I, your parents and other members of your family are saying in the pages of this blog. But that's OK. I know you'll look back with joy to learn about us and about the long list of family members who preceded you in this world. More on that later.

For starters, I want you to know how very proud we are to welcome you into the family. And what joy you bring to each and every one of us. You are such a happy, smiling, pleasant little boy. You bless us all.

You with Mommy and Daddy at Christmas

I remember how excited your Mommy and Daddy were when they first called us to announce that you were on the way. They had been waiting and waiting. When they learned that you were being created by our Lord Jesus in your Mommy's tummy they called us on the phone. "And it's a boy!" Mommy exclaimed, bubbling with excitement. Both your Great-Grandma and I thought that was quite amazing, because when your Grandma Cheryl was being created in Great-Grandma's tummy, we did not know if our baby was to be a boy or a girl. In those days the doctors could not tell us about that in advance. So we had to wait until she was born.

And how well I remember that day. Of course, a Daddy was not allowed in the birthing room back in October, 1960 when your Grandma Cheryl was born, so I was waiting out in the hall for the nurse. She burst out to announce, "It's a girl! You have a beautiful baby daughter. And, believe it or not, she has red hair!"

I cannot tell you with words, Byron, what happiness and joy I felt at that moment. I simply do not have the words to express it. Before that the Lord Jesus gave your Great-Grandma and me two wonderful sons and we were starting to believe that our third child would be a boy as well. That was OK with us, of course, but when Great-Grandma and I learned our new baby was a girl, well, we were so happy we cried.

GMa Cheryl (1 mo.old) with your G-Uncles Jeff and Nathan 

And now, all these years later, here you are. You must ask your Mommy and Daddy about your birth. They have many photos and will be happy to tell you about their feelings as well.

As you grow up, Byron, we will share many more thoughts and ideas with you. Perhaps, when you are fully grown and begin a family of your own, you and your wife will even choose ahead for your baby to be a girl rather than a boy. That's already happening for some parents.

For now, just know that we all love you and are most excited to have you as the newest member of our family.

With love — Great-Grandpa Al