He had money...and he gave most of it to me. I was spposed to get his ashes, but when they found out about the money, they wouldn't give me his ashes. Well, that's okay. I know what he would say. "It's just an old body. It doesn't matter." I told him that would happen...so, at least I wasn't surprised. He didn't want to go to a nursing home, and we made this agreement seven years ago. I promised him I would take care of him until he died. I am glad he didn't have to die, hooked up to tubes or forgotten in the back room, of a nursing home. They were talking bad about me...saying I only did it for the money, but let me tell you...I couldn't go or do anything without taking care of him, and it was a 40 mile round trip over there that I made every day at least once, and sometimes as often as four times a day. They were too important and too busy to be bothered with his care...so leave it to me...my time isn't valuable like theirs. I guess they thought I should have done this for free. It isn't that I wouldn't have. I couldn't afford the cost of driving over there and back every day...and the hours it took to take care of him. He did nothing. He didn't even flush the toilet. I took care of him, his house, his yard, his truck, his taxes, brought him a hot meal every day, and kept the fridge well stocked for him. I brought him books, magazines and movies and sat and talked to him. I treated him as kindly as I would want to be treated. The last 4 years of his life, he never stepped foot out of his house. I kept him alive....when they wanted him to die...simply by being there and making sure he was never around anyone who was sick. He had emphysema so badly, he couldn't walk to the kitchen without difficulty. He was a very intelligent man, well read but extremely difficult because he wouldn't do anything he was supposed to do...like not smoke, eat right, etc. I'm not a saint. I got paid for taking care of him, but if anyone doesn't think that is a burden to take on, and one that went on for years...think again. I have no regrets though because I was very kind to him, and he died knowing I was there, and in his own house and that is what meant the most to him. The week I spent sleeping on his floor, I had to bring all three of my dogs...so I was up at daylight, walking the dogs, and all around him, live his family. They had to have seen that or my truck in the driveway all night. You know they had to have realized something was wrong...but not one of them called or came by. Probably afraid I would ask them to help do something.

Caroline, yes.....I received it....but didn't get to the post office until last night. My husband has had my truck...still does. Also had a bad month...we were in a car wreck...rear-ended going 60 mph down the freeway, then Jody had pneumonia and I was sick at the same time. Also had to have one of my long time horses, Lonesome, put down about a week ago. Had a stressful conflict over my dental implants...although that came out okay. Anyway, what I want to say is I absolutely love the pendant. I have a card written out to send you....and I thank you so much. It was so very thoughtful of you. I can't begin to thank you enough! My new horse and mule are doing well. I have only ridden the horse one time, since I don't have a saddle...so had to ride her bareback. Not so easy for me any more, although I rode bareback all the time I was growing up and into my 30's. My email is a tragic mess, but my yahoo address is probably worse, because I get FB notifications there and I never check it. My gmail account is the one I use, but it is a mess too. I cleared out 2000 emails last night and have 3000 left to get to this weekend. I have been in a terrible slump/funk, but your kindness brightened my day. I will always treasure it.

Thank you everyone. I think we are getting out of here at a good time. The loop 610 goes around Houston. Beltway 8 goes around that, and way out beyond that loop is the Grand Parkway. It isn't completely finished, but a part of it is being built a few miles from where we live. It then goes through Kemah and Seabrook, which is on the bay, where Jody keeps his boat. It eventually ties up with part built in Baytown, and continues on around Houston. There is a bridge between Kemah and Seabrook, and it is going to be replaced with a 6 lane bridge. We went to a funeral today and came back that way to check the boat. The traffic was backed up for miles. On weekends, it is worse. It is a nightmare. Makes me really want to go live somewhere that has a much slower pace. Jody is thinking about moving his boat closer to the Louisiana border, and shrimping out of there.

I can’t help thinking about how he always had your back no matter what-taking in downtrodden animals of all sorts- he didn’t seem to bat an eye, risking his life in the flood, buying/building/ moving your last house,, the move to TX-so many trips back and forth, and moving those huge cement troughs!!! Whatever needed to be done, he did it, as long as he could. He was a true partner. He will Rest In Peace knowing he got you settled in your dream place. I’m glad he lived long enough to see that.