HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY....HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TOMORROW
SHARRON

Carol, you are so right. We have so much to be thankful for and need to take a few minutes Thursday to give thanks to all of those who have made it possible, both past and present. Also a gentle reminder that we are having breakfast at Paragon this Saturday at 9..Hope anyone in Indy for the holidays can take an hour to come by and "toast" to ole BD....Hope to see lots of old and new faces this Saturday! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Everyone: Just want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! Let's take time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Count your blessings, I know I have so many. We have all been so "bogged down" by the current economic state, but we still have loved ones & so many blessings in this country and we need to concentrate on the good and how we can make America better. Let's pray for our troops, those that are going thru hard times, whether it be health concerns, job search or mortgage woes. We need to be strong and celebrate what is good! May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving; be safe if you are traveling. Take care & enjoy the little things of life!

Carol,
They haven't started to convert it from the out-of-business Panera Bread yet. It won't open very soon. I didn't even see any permits in the windows yet. It is located at University and Honore; the second light west of I-75 on University.

We live just another 2 miles west of there at University and Whittfield. By all means, call when you get down this direction.

Mike: Not that I am aware of. Corp usually has a "team" that comes in when a new store opens. When is it scheduled to open? Sometimes we come down that way for a "ride"; may have to check it out, maybe we could meet you there sometime. Matthew runs the one at the Crossroads Center right off I-4 and 535 - across from Downtown Disney entrance. Sits next to the minature golf.

Mary: Know you continue to be in our thoughts & prayers. You have Mike in your thoughts and it certainly sounds as though you have a lot of precious memories as well.

Carol,
Is your son going to be involved in the opening of the new Sweet Tomatoes here in Sarasota?

Thank you Penny and Carol, I know the rain falls on the just and unjust and it's what you choose to do in the storms of life that has meaning .."I will praise Him in this storm, though my heart is torn, I will still praise Him in this storm" one of my favorite songs. Life might not be the party I thought it would be but,I am going to dance all the way thru it!!

One of the Military bikes at the Harley Museum.

Yes, Mary, thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with us. We feel honored that you chose us to share your heart with us & Mike will live with you forever and know he is watching over you. The gift of life is something that we all can do. I am an organ donor also & my body is going to science. Your testimony of sharing that Mike let the Lord guide his life is so important. In today's society, there are so many "me" people and just want all to know that all of us have the opportunity of accepting the Lord into our hearts and sharing the peace that passes all understanding. We always have someone to depend upon and to talk to and "walk the walk". We never know what kind action we do or just a smile might help make a decision to choose the right path. You had such a special relationship and know you have been blessed.

Mary,
Thank you for your extremely personal heartbreak, yet extremely inspiring story. The grief must be bearable only by the knowledge of the gift of life your husband gave to total strangers. How moving is your post. Again,thank you for sharing!!

Well, it has been 9mo and 12 day since I lost my sweet baby Mike. {Chester M. Walker} This journey of sorrow is so very hard. At times it acts like the waves of an ocean; you can see it coming but are still overtaken by it and when you try to out run it you are taken under. With great love comes great loss and I will feel that loss the rest of my life. I miss Mike in so many ways, just his presents in the house made it the home it was, his smell, his voice, his love for me, his kindness for all, and his love and servant hood to the Lord. He was the Godly man I always needed and wanted. I thank God for such a love, some people go all their lives and never know and experience true love and I was blessed to have it for 25 yrs.
Before I had to make the decision to take Mike off of life support I also made the choice to donate all of his organs. Mike was such a giving man and always willing to help others. I want to share a letter that I received this week.
Hello my name is James and I live in Ohio.
 I have had cystic fibrosis all my life. I am so grateful and appreciative for you and your family’s choice to share life with me. I lost my older brother to cystic fibrosis in Jan. of 2008 I began my transplant process in Aug.of 2008 I was approved to be placed on the list one year to date of my brother's death. I was placed on the list on Feb.5 and blessed to be called on the 6th. I received a double lung transplant on Feb the 6th.I am so sorry for your loss. The lungs I share with your loved one are working perfect. It has been nine months since my new life has begun and it is amazing how my health has changed. The day before I got my call my lung function was down to 17% and now it is 91%.I am a new person. I just celebrated my two year anniversary. It's hard to believe how much has changed in two yrs. My wife Amy and I will never be able to thank you enough for your choice to give life. I just wanted you to know what a difference your choice has made. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. James
Mike was and is still and giving man.
.Most of the people that we went to school with never got to know this quite and friendly man. Always a smile on his face and joy in his heart.
I say all this that you know and some how since the greatness of the gift of life. Enjoy each day like your are going to live forever and live it like you might leave today. God Bless

Mike Walker

Edited by author 11-16-2009 07:47 PM
It sounds like "Belch 'n choke" is still coaching like he did in Cleveland! Go Colts!

Good idea Mr. T I'll sign it too!

Maybe the Colts should send him a 'thank you' card.

Mr. T