Today is the 10th anniversary of Navi’s being hit by a van on Shroyer Road and a few hours later, her being released from life. Navi was Chief’s sister and littermate. Within five months, I lost both Flyer and Navi and gained two more pooches that 2013 Christmas night, Bailey and Harrigan. And now, Bailey is preparing for her arrival at Rainbow Bridge.

It doesn’t seem like Christmas should be upon us with four days to go. Despite multiple performances of THE NUTCRACKER, one performance of THE MESSIAH, a Christmas party, and The Air Force Band of Flight concert, all the music has not kicked it into gear for me. But, that really is not unusual as seasonal traditions continue to move further away – and that’s okay. I simply do not wish to invest in the former seasonal stress of preparing for Christmas.

The night passed with limited rest. I could not ease the gut and muscle discomforts, so I sat with Bailey, assuring her that she is loved. I am intensely yearning for my Chinese buffet and may still address this desire in the late afternoon. I have had mucus in the head and a bit of the chest, and for over a week, the gut discomfort has lingered and driven out much energy. Still, partaking of my favorite Chinese dishes at this buffet is a definite pull.

On this date in history: (2017) American astronaut Bruce McCandless II, the first person to conduct an untethered free flight in space, died at age 80. (1988) Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, because of a terrorist bombing; in 2003 the government of Libya accepted responsibility for the explosion and in 2004 agreed to compensate the families of the victims. (1968) Apollo 8 was launched from Cape Kennedy (Cape Canaveral) and eventually completed 10 lunar orbits. (1958) Charles de Gaulle was elected president of the French Fifth Republic. (1945) U.S. General George Patton, known as “Old Blood-and-Guts” by his men, died following an automobile accident in Germany. (1937) The classic animated movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered, establishing Walt Disney as one of the world’s most innovative and creative moviemakers. (1913) The New York World published the first modern crossword puzzle. (1898) On this day in 1898, having recently discovered polonium, future Nobel Prize winners Marie and Pierre Curie discovered the radioactive chemical element radium, a silvery white metal that would be used to treat cancer. (1864) General William Tecumseh Sherman captured Savannah, Georgia, during his “March to the Sea” in the American Civil War.

Continue to rest in peace, Navi. You are still loved…

Make it a great day!