Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly’s Letter Monday January 8, 2007

Let me explain today’s title, “Marley And Me, Too.”

The week past the Great Blonde has been reading a book she bought for me for Christmas. The book is by John Grogan, an Irish writer who most prominent claim to fame is his book, a best seller on the New York Times list. Joyce will have her review in the February issue of Larry Lilly’s Journal. I had another book for her to write about, but married men know that when a book brings tears to the lovely eyes of the wife of your youth, plans not only should change, they had better change.

In the course of the day, I left to take care of duties and upon my return, I found the Tender Hearted Great Blonde weeping profusely. In light of forty two years of marriage, I did not find this at all unusual. Before I could in my very best concerned husband voice ask, ‘Sweetheart, what on earth is wrong?” she blurted out, “Marley died.” I stood there, holding her tightly, all the while trying to think. I knew we have no church members with the surname, Marley. I know of no fringe associate by that name, other than Bob Marley who we haven’t seen for near twenty years. Who on earth is Marley?

The answer came from her sugar lips, in a babbling torrent, “You know who Marley was, he belonged to John.” Still drawing a blank, I asked, “Honey, who is John?” More weeping and a few remarks about men not having normal feelings, and then the full explanation, “Marley is the Golden Lab that John bought when Marley was just a tiny puppy.” My mental fog, which is my normal state, began to break up, of course the Marley in question was the 97 pound Labrador Retriever Mr. Grogan wrote about in his book, ‘Marley and Me.” John claims Marley was the world’s worst dog.

I’m sure when the Lord’s chariot swings low to carry yours truly to the mansion in the skies, the Great Blonde will be able to find comfort in the fact, that the loves of her life, Huntley, the irascible Basset and Brinkly, the Airedale Terrier who passed on New Years eve 2004, will, along with Marley meet me at the gate to welcome me home, much as do Max and Molly when I come in the house from a week long trip or merely having been absent long enough to take out the trash. That the Lord will welcome me, gets an “Oh, yes, that too.”

The lady at the vets the other day commented, “Some dogs steal the trash, others your slippers, but they all have a way of stealing your heart.”

A few months ago I wrote in answer to a lady’s question, “Dr. Lilly, how come you never write about cats?” My answer is simple and to the point, “Dear Madam, I am around people who ignore me, I don’t need a cat adding to the misery. Besides, my dog thinks I am God. I don’t need a cat who thinks it is God.”

One of my life goals is to come to the place where I love Jesus with the intensity that my dogs love me.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with Credit.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE