Another Chance Ranch

The Sweet Sound of a Swather

This is a swather.  To be more specific, it  is a John Deere Swather. 

A few weeks ago I posted about Colby.  His story is a sad one.  If you would like to see a photo of Colby and his family follow this LINK.

Yesterday I had a dentist appointment that took entirely too long.  After leaving the appointment I called McD to tell him I would be late getting home, and that is when he told me the news.   Colby had passed on earlier that afternoon.  His family was there with him, and his Daddy said it was peaceful.

Colby loved John Deere tractors, gators, etc.  There is a photo of him on his Gator on his Caring Bridge  website.   So, when McD told me what Colby's Daddy said I almost lost it.  He said that Colby didn't go hearing angels sing,  he went hearing the hum of a swather and that is the way Colby would have wanted it.   That isn't word for word, because I am only repeating what McD told me. 

I never had the pleasure of meeting Colby, but have heard many, many stories.  By looking at his photos you can tell that he was an adorable little boy.  I can tell you that his family is amazing. 

If you didn't know what a swather looked like before, now ya know.  And now you know what I will think of every time I see or hear one...a sweet little boy that was taken from this world way too soon.   Rest In Peace Colby McEntire, Rest In Peace.

Update: I am very sorry for the problems with the links, I have edited the post and hopefully you can get to Colby's CaringBridge site now. 

Rhabdoid Tumors

Have you ever heard of a Rhabdoid tumor?  Well, I hadn't heard of one until our friend's son was diagnosed with one.  Now he has several.  I don't ask for a lot of prayers on here, but I am asking now.  If you believe in prayer, if you have just an ounce of faith...please pray for Colby and his family. 

I could cut and paste all of the information here on my site, but I think it would be better if you went to his site to see what he is going through.  It just takes a minute.  Here is part of his story:

Colby was six months old when he was diagnosed with Rhabdoid tumor of the left kidney. He had a left nephrectomy and endured eight months of chemotherapy along with 7 rounds of radiation. New tumors have appeared in his lungs and he is currently enduring further treatments.
Be sure to read the latest in the journal, view the photo gallery, and drop us a line in the guestbook.

I did cut and paste that part, but please go to CaringBridge, you will have to enter his name just like this... colbymcentire, and it will take you to the site his parents have set up.  There are journal entries that tell the story, and photos of he and his whole family.  If you don't visit this site at least say a prayer for them.  It only takes a minute. 

Sorry there isn't a house update, I felt this was much more important.  Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers for this family. 

Thanksgiving Curse

What is it about the holidays? 
Why do people or animals die around the holidays? 

Tomorrow morning we have a funeral to attend.  You might remember a while back a post where I talked about our friend, D.  D had lung cancer and was only given a year or two to live.  She loved Bill Engvall and The Blue Comedy Tour, so when he came to town Slick bought a ticket for one of them and we bought the other ticket.  Otherwise, they would not have been able to go.   She loved it!  Well, last Friday was her last day with us and tomorrow we will lay her to rest.  She was one of the sweetest ladies I had ever met.  But why did it have to happen right before Thanksgiving?

In 1994, McD's mother passed away.  She had cancer of the brain and the last tumor she had gotten was inoperable.  She was only 56 years old.  She died the day after Thanksgiving. 

Then a few years later we lost our best friend, Blackie.  Blackie was a chow-german shepard mix and was 17 years old.  She had lost her hearing, was beginning to lose her sight and had a really bad case of arthritis.  She was a wonderful dog.  She wasn't going to give up though.  We were getting ready to go see my family for Thanksgiving dinner and right before we left McD went and had a talk with her.  He told her that if she wasn't gone when we got back that he was going to have to take her to the vet and put her down.  He told her that he just couldn't watch her suffer any more.  That was all it took.  When we got home the next day, she was gone.  I cry everytime I tell that story or hear it told.  But we got home the day after Thanksgiving. 

So we have the Thanksgiving curse.  Hey, if the BoSox can have a curse so can we.   But one thing this curse can't touch is how blessed we were to have D, Mary Jo, and Blackie in our lives.  We are thankful for that everyday!

Alan Jackson said it best...

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children;
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
that lost their dear loved ones?
Did you pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
and sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer?
And look at yourself for what really matters?

(Chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children;
Driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
in a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that bible at home?

Did you open your eyes hope it never happened;
And close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages;
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow;
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

(Chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?

Crikey!!!

I will be taking a night off to mourn the loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. (Really I am working on some homework.) But it was a tragic death. I can't imagine being stabbed in the heart by a Stingray barb. I guess he died doing what he loved. It is just so sad.