In 2001, I worked at the Carbondale BK; very frequently with Moira Cordova. I loved her, and all five of her adorable young children. I was also aware that their dog Nakita had had a litter of five puppies who would need to find homes. My mothers dog Maggie had recently died, and shortly after that, so did my sister Anns sweet Sasha. I really thought that a new dog would brighten my Moms heavy heart, and was under the impression that all five of Moiras pups were promised to people One night, Moira showed up at the stores back door with her precious baby girl Casey in tow. She asked if she could have some ice, and of course, I let her in to collect some. Casey had a fairly large bag slung over her shoulder, and as her mother scooped ice, Casey peered up at me with mischief dancing in her huge blue eyes. Guess what I got in my purse, she sang while rocking back and forth. I dont know, I replied. What do you have in your purse? A puppy, Casey continued in a sweet sing-song. A puppy? No way! I shot back. Wanna see? Casey asked. Show me, I volleyed. Casey reached down and pulled the bags zipper back a little bit. I was amused when an adorable puppys head popped up through the narrow opening. It was a fluffy and beautiful pup, and my heart melted as I smiled and cooed over the tiny fuzzball. Casey was proud of her little companion, and chatted excitedly about her puppy until Moira was done with her task. I smiled at Moira and blurted Its a good thing all those puppies are spoken for. That little cutie would be a perfect birthday present for my mother. Moira quickly said, That puppy isnt spoken for. She needs a home. Shes yours if you want her. That announcement inspired a dramatic change in little Caseys expression as I think Casey was convinced that that particular puppy was hers. To shorten this story a bit, Moira had a heart to heart with her baby girl once they got home. She explained that my Mommy had a broken heart because her dog had died, and that Caseys puppy would help make Mrs. Frees heart smile again. Casey eventually agreed that her puppy would make my Mommy happy, and that the puppy should be Mrs. Frees. A day or two later, I bought the essentials my mothers new pup would need; puppy chow, a collar, leash, bowls, small toys, then drove to Moiras house to pick up the pooch. I felt bad for Casey. I could see my taking the puppy was breaking her heart, but she tried to put on a brave face. My mother never saw it coming. I walked into her house, called out for her, and when Mom met me in the kitchen, I held out the little puppy and said Happy Birthday, Mom. Her expressions were priceless, and rapid, ranging from huge blinking eyes, to a very brief scowl, to a deep and awed sigh, to a warm and quivering grin. I watched my mother melt, and her smile spread as she accepted the puppy from me, and was eagerly licked all over her face by her new little best friend. After she saw that she had everything she needed for the new addition, and cradled the baby in her arms for several minutes, Mom said, She has to have a name. I dont know what to name her. I told Mom how a run for ice, and a precious little girls hope to heal her broken heart had resulted in the puppys present status, and suggested she name the puppy after Casey Cordova. And thats exactly what my mother did. My mother and Casey Cordova became special friends. Casey came to the house a few times to visit and wanted a picture of my Mom which I believe she kept on her dresser. Mom remembered Casey on her birthday, and Christmas, and Halloween. When Casey received her First Holy Communion, she insisted on giving her special friend Mrs. Free a picture of her in her Communion dress. When my Mother died unexpectedly of a stroke in January of 2004, Moira had to explain her death to her daughter Casey, and Casey was very sad over the loss of her special friend. For three years, that beautiful puppy, and the adorable little girl who became a special friend brought my mother such joy. A year ago today, my mothers special friend was tragically killed in a car accident. I know our grieving, healing and loving Lord welcomed His newest angel with a gentle and restoring embrace, that awful night, then watched with joy as all Caseys loved ones rushed to welcome her to Heaven. I know Mrs. Free was in that very long line and shared a very special embrace with her special friend. Our Casey dog is doing well for a pup her age, though she did give us quite a scare two weeks ago. That special dog not only healed my mothers broken heart, many years ago, but helped heal ours as well as we grieved the loss of my mother. Casey Free also inspires a fond smile whenever I visit, and reminds me of that adorable little red-haired girl, with the heart-stopping brilliant blue eyes who so proudly carried a puppy in her purse and moved us all ... ... and always will. You will always be loved. You will always be missed. The love, laughter, smiles and precious memories you gave so freely throughout your life will always hug our souls. Thank you, Casey Cordova.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:27:16 +0000
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