A Life Worth Living…

The 1960s held the map of my direction in life, some good, some not so much. At the age of 19, I became a Vietnam soldier in a war that molded not only the world, but also me. Why wouldn’t it? I was a blank template to be filled from that time on, some for good, and some, not so much. 

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I was raised in a poor family and environment, but I was blessed with the lessons it taught me. Some of the best moments, times, loves, lessons in pain and joy, were no less prevalent in my world than in the richer parts of town. In fact, in later life, I came to know I was in my way, much richer without money than many of those who seemingly had ‘it all.’  It didn’t always seem that way, of course, until I came to realize that a life worth living isn’t about what you have…it’s about who you are. 

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I’ve had ups and downs in my life like we all do. But even before I was that blank slate at 19 in Vietnam, I had the love of my family and the lessons my parents taught me. It wasn’t what one took from life, it was what one gave back.  

I wasn’t even close to being a hero in Vietnam, and for that, I am eternally grateful. There were plenty of heroes to go around in Vietnam, as in any war. But I learned what giving was all about. As they say, “All gave some, and some gave all.”  I learned that if I were given the chance to live through it all, then life was something to cherish and to cultivate. Never stop learning or trying. 

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Years later, in my retirement, I wanted to give back as best I could. I chose to help our animal friends, domestic and wild. As a disabled veteran, I could no longer do what most volunteers do for their community animal charities to save animals. But, as we say in the military, “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.” 

After much thought on how I could ‘help those who help them…’ I founded Fur Heaven’s Sake & Furbay. I could help ‘pass the ammunition of revenue’ to community animal charities. Fur Heaven’s Sake & Furbay are not a hollow attempt at leaving a legacy that began in 1966. They are a viable and venerable way to help the animals I love, and the people who love them as much as I do. 

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I became an Elk member because they deeply care, more than I realized, about their community. They are ‘constantly’ working on ways to help on so many levels. I was amazed! From buying school supplies for the underprivileged children, to…well, too many to mention here. If something helps people and their communities, the Elks are at the forefront of helping. 

My friend who introduced me to becoming an Elk is now my Vice President of Fur Heaven’s Sake & Furbay, my webmaster, and mentor. I can never give him enough accolades for helping me make Fur Heaven’s Sake & Furbay become a viable method for fundraising. His company of Five Dog Solutions, in Amarillo, TX, has made me realize that as my life began long ago, there is no reason to stop learning and giving. Never a reason to surrender.

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Giving and having a ‘purpose greater than ourselves’ is a way of saying to those true ‘heroes’ and veterans who gave me their time and sacrifice, my deepest and most sincere gratitude. “Thank you’s” are not enough; making the most of the time they gave me is all that I can do.

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