I am writing this because I feel that the caring folks that are on the FML
would like to know.
 
One of my dearest friends in the world had a week that started out with a
tragedy and then ended with a tragedy yesterday.
 
Dearest Maggie, I do so hope that you never have to go through a week like
this one again.  And I feel so bad that I am so far away in Utah and was
not able to be there personally for you during this time.
 
Monday morning, a sheriff knocked on Maggie's door with the news that her
Grandfather, the LAST remaining member of her family, had passed away.
What a way to receive such unpleasant news!  To make it worse, the funeral
was to be held somewhere that made it impossible for her to attend.  The
week was off to a wonderful start for her.
 
Things went along as well as could be expected and she was able to start to
come to terms with this loss.  However, yesterday was the final straw.  I
will not go into details, but one of her beloved ferrets, Miss Tweety Bird,
had a terrible, horrible accident.  I am so grateful that I had walked in
the house as she was calling after she found her.  I have never heard such
grief from a person, and it still haunts me.  Anyone who ever doubts the
depths of love or compassion that Maggie has for her ferrets (or for ANYONE
living) should have heard her.  To quote an overused Star Trek line "I
grieve with thee." I just wish I could I turn back time and "make it all
better." But, being human, I trust in God and believe that all things
happen for a purpose, no matter how bitter they are at the time.
 
I have been in Maggie's home and seen FIRST HAND how careful she is with
her ferrets, and how carefully she ferret proofs and watches out for their
well being.  But no matter how vigilant anyone is, folks, accidents can
happen to the best of us.  I want to make very, very clear that this was
not a case of negligence.  It was just AN ACCIDENT.  Period.  A tragic
accident, but an accident nonetheless.
 
Obviously, Maggie will be out of circulation for a bit while she deals with
both of these tragedies.
 
I am asking a personal favor from the readers on the FML.  I know that the
majority of you on this list respond to things like this with compassion
and understanding.  But there is a small minority who tend to attack people
when they are down.  I remember one incident when a ferret was
injured/killed and the poor person was made to feel like a danger to ferret
society and did, or almost did (I cannot remember which) leave the list
over it.  If you don't have anything nice to say to someone who grieves,
then DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.  The last thing she needs is to be attacked
when she already feels horrible.  If any of you chose to be unpleasant,
then, well, no one can control you, but may God (or whatever belief system
you subscribe to) have mercy on your soul.  I would pray you never end up
in the same position.  Because, like it or not, accidents happen to
everyone, no matter how careful we try to be.
 
I choose to protect Maggie's privacy as to what the accident was, and when
and IF she feels up to sharing it, that will be her choice.  I just think
she could use some positive comments and understanding from people right
now.
 
I have one other thing to say.  Again, without going into details, I want
you all to know what a caring, compassionate person Bill Gruber is.  Most
of you have no idea what a gem he is.  I was honored to experience a little
of it yesterday.  It will suffice to say that the man goes the extra mile
and shows how much he cares for the list and it's members and feelings.
God bless you Bill!
 
Catherine, Pato, Snowball, Hubert and Elsie
"Grieving and Praying Behind The Zion Curtain"
[Posted in FML issue 2644]