On the back of the picture it says January 30, 1967. That would make this my 3rd birthday. That is me in the middle.
Yikes.
44 years later I spent the day planning what I want to do this next year. I don't know when I started doing that, but I'm sure it wasn't when I was three.
If it had been, I think my list would have looked like this...
--Eat cake
--One night stay up until 9pm
--Ride a bike with 2 wheels
--Make a note to hide when mom takes out that camera thing.
As I was looking for this picture today, I saw alot of pictures of our family through the years. It is amazing how many of them had food in them. My father, my brother and myself around a turkey (4 of these), my brother and I in the teenage years posed with forks pointed menacingly at a ham. Sometimes, there is just a picture of food, placed beautifully on a set table.
One picture was of my old dog Pandy eating a cake that had been made for a baby shower.
Imagine this...Beagle + large cake with frosting.
Today I spent the first few hours at the gym.
Insight comes at such unexpected times.
So anyway, in looking over this past year, one of the things that I am very happy about is that we got 501c3 status on Friends of Kindred Spirits.
I mentioned this in passing in an email, and many of you have purchased stickers for your cars, or candles, or special tags for your pets with the logo. In addition, many of you have sent generous donations to give us a fund that has made a difference to many pets and people.
3 years ago Mary and I came up with the idea, and Mary and several of her friends have run with the ball to make it a reality.
The Mission is to provide financial and other types of personal assistance to elders with companion animals who may require such support to keep their pets in a loving home. Friends of Kindred Spirits (FOKS) also seeks to provide supportive services to individuals in hospice care, offer free spay/neuter and essential immunization services for feral cats and find "forever families" for homeless pets.
At this point Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic is the primary provider of services, but that is mainly because we provide very discounted fees. Mary is meeting this next month with several area veterinary clinics to see if they would be willing to provide discounted services for those who need it.
At this point its a good idea that has made a difference to a growing number of people. You guys have participated in this without even knowing a few times. The cats that we find homes for...FOKS purchases the food that they go home with and the vaccines that we give. You guys give them the home.
For Mrs Keast, we found a home for her dog before she passed away.
For Jean Pierre's parents we were able to provide care and when he passed away, cremation services.
For the feral cats on Jonesport/Beals we came out and spayed and neutered them (all 5 of them)
For all of you who have helped, thank you. This is what community is all about and we really can make a difference.
Now some of you may be thinking that I'm going to ask you to give me a birthday present by donating to this wonderful organization.
I mean c'mon, who can deny that 3 year old blond kid with the birthday hat?
But alas, I have solemnly sworn to never make this Sunday night missive about money. However, I can make it about participation. Bangor Savings Bank is funding some very generous grants to community organizations. We are small but enthusiastic bunch, so I would like to ask you (cute 3 year old party hat smile) to consider going to the website and writing us in as a local charity to be considered for $1,000 grant. If we are number one in our region we may be eligible for $5000.
Click on the link below and scroll down to Greater Bangor Area.
In the first box write in
Friends of Kindred Spirits
https://www.bangor.com/Why-Bangor-Savings/Supporting-Our-Communities/Voting.aspx
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday dear Whack job Veterinarian
Happy Birthday to me
