Letter From Foxglove Farm
Foxglove Farm
Lucas, Ohio
March 2007
I woke up early this morning, it's been a bitter cold winter here in Northern Ohio, and the skies have been a bit dismal & gray for somewhat too long. I sat up late watching the poor old world & it's even more dismal news, pondering what God must think of all of it as He looks down on us...
And then, I woke to the most beautiful morning,,, our house sits on a high hill, overlooking a lovely big lake across the road, called "Lake Of The Woods", and since I was a girl, I loved it's beautiful sapphire blue waters... When we built our house a few years ago, we spent hours deciding the best spot to position it to be able to best see the water. When I opened my eyes early this morning, (reluctantly I'll admit, after sitting up too late pondering the affairs of mankind), the sky out my bedroom window was full of the most dazzling golden light in a brilliant blue sky, the lake too was the deepest blue, it quite took my breath away.... Looking out our bedroom window, I could see John my husband as he carried our latest litter of puppies outside for a morning romp... One of my favorite occupations, puppy watching, I paused to see what the babies would think of this wonderful warm morning after such a snowy Winter. They stood briefly with little noses lifted, sniffing all the lovely new smells, suddenly their tails began to wag, and the whole litter began to leap & jump with the sheer joy of a Spring morning, I watched as they rolled & played, each puppy trying to outdo his littermates, hopping & bouncing for all the world like little rabbits, the very picture of happiness, and I marveled, these little things so full of innocence... were indeed gifts of my kind Heavenly Father, that He had given us these little lives, to enjoy & to remind us that all was indeed not wrong with the world, that there was indeed much that was good & right, and I knew I was being taught a gentle lesson in faith, while watching those little ones rejoicing on a warm early Spring morning,,, to never forget to look for beauty and for joy, no matter the state of the world, to keep my heart open to laughter, sometimes found in the simplest of places, even in the heart of a puppy, who knew to be always be grateful for simple joys & to always believe...
Kindest Springtime Regards,
Terry Cross
Foxglove Farm
Letter From Foxglove Farm
February 6th, 2007
It's a snowy cold night in Ohio, the wind in howling round the windows, and snow sparkles and dances in the light from the window,,, I sit snug in my cozy den, with a tiny Cavachon puppy asleep on my lap... She loves to sit with me in front of the fire, rocking away in our favorite old oak rocker, while she sleeps and dreams of the flowers & grass and playing in the sunshine of what will be her very first Spring...
They bring such joy to my life these "little folk",,, I cut my teeth on the
"Lad A Dog" books by Albert Payson Terhune, a true Dog Fancier of the old school, he raised glorious Collies on a beautiful estate near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey... Wonderful books about his life with those Collies, Lad & Wolf, Bruce, Lady & the beautiful Grey Dawn... I was either born with a love for dogs, or perhaps inspired by those long ago tales of devotion, of beautiful dogs who were loving and loyal, who never failed to believe the best of their beloved owners, dogs who were the most faithful of friends...
I look back all those years and am grateful for all the blessings God has brought into my life with so many dogs and the dear people I have met because of them... It's a night for dreaming dreams, for staying warm inside, close by a fire, with a good dog at my feet and this tiny one on my lap... It's also a night to give thanks, for a warm place to be, a lovely home, and a good marriage, dear family & friends, and all the little faces,,, those wistful ones who have passed from this scene, (oh, how my heart still breaks for some of those long lost ones...), and more happily, for the little ones that inhabit my days, that make me laugh and marvel over the beauty & delight that they bring to not only my life, but the many lives of the families & homes our puppies have gone to...
The puppy in my lap stirs and lifts her sleepy eyes to mine, I wonder where she will go, who she will love & bring joy to,,, I must hold my heart back a bit from her,,, how easy to fall in love with this sweetest of tiny faces, this confiding little thing,,, for she is not mine to keep, and I know she will bring the greatest joy to her new owner,,, so I hold her for a while and am thankful that I am so blessed to have her in my life,,, even if only for a little while...
Kindest Wintery Regards,
Terry Cross
Foxglove Farm
Letter From Foxglove Farm
Summer 2007
Hello Everyone,
I hope that lovely warm summer days have found you relaxing a bit & staying cool! Our summer puppies have decided that the very most fun is in dashing through the cool green grass, and diving into the bird's bath, an idea I often don't find amusing!
Speaking of puppies, I must introduce you to our latest addition,,,
(Drum Roll Please!!!) " Miss Marple Of Foxglove Farm" or
"Agatha Christie" as she is known to her friends!!! A truly lovely little Tri-Color Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, she is quite literally a "Ladies Comfort Spaniel", her favorite spot is under my desk, tucked up warmly against my feet, while I'm working at the computer! I'll add pics of her darling little self! Hopefully, someday in the next couple of years or so, we'll have her beautiful children to show you! She's such a darling thing, we are simply smitten with her! It's sooooooo nice to have a little one that stays with us, I can let myself fall head over heels in love with her! Enjoy the pics, she loves the camera!!! What a character she is already!
Kindest Summery Regards,
Terry
Miss Marple Of Foxglove Farm
"Agatha"
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Letter From Foxglove Farm
Spring 2008
A Dogs Wisdom
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Be always grateful for each new day
Today, I pray you a day of ordinary miracles: May joy dance in your soul, may love fill your heart and may peace reign in your home.
Blessings,
terry ellen cross
Letter From Foxglove Farm
November 2008
Dearest Readers,
I must be honest with you, the last year has been one of the hardest of my life,
with the care of my very ill, elderly father & now mother has developed even more serious issues that truly break my heart... I have been away from "home" for most of my life, and on returning to the small town I was raised in, was delighted to be next door to my family after so many years of homesickness and missing them,,, it seems that I have come home to spend their last days with them, and I am grateful... I won't go into the years of my childhood (Oh,,,those wrenching, sorrow-filled years,,,) many of us carry burdens and pain from childhood,,, but suffice to say, I had to come home to find healing for that time, and though healing has occurred, many many new wounds appear, and the scars I thought to heal, are at times made more visible and painful because of my return...
So many of you have written and called to tell me how this page has been a small blessing in your lives, one dear lady called it rather like a "Devotional",,, and perhaps that's what it's becoming to me as well, I know beyond any doubt that the Lord has given me the dogs, that He has blessed them in my life and through them, has brought joy into so many lives including my own... He has given me an outlet for love, the web site to express myself and try to bring a bit of beauty into this old world. He has allowed me to correspond with people from all over the world, Australia, England, Japan, Spain, Israel, Wales, the list is amazing, not to mention the wonderful countrymen & women of our dear land... I've met so many delightful people, I've said it before, but it's true, and so many have expressed their enjoyment of the "Letters From Foxglove Farm", that I have asked the Lord to help me be more faithful to this page especially, and to pray that it indeed be a blessing! I pray that you all know "Him",,, the true source of all joy, and Giver of the best gifts in life. I pray that you have asked Him into your hearts, a prayer He always answers...
I leave you who are readers, with urging to find the simply wonderful Mitford books by Jan Karon. A series of 9 books, starting with "At Home In Mitford" they are written about a small town & the delightful characters there. Many night when I couldn't sleep, a few chapters and I was encouraged and cheered to a peaceful sleep, Karon is indeed gifted. Find them, you'll be blessed!
Well, indeed enough for the day, I hope I've not been tooooo honest,,, and that in some small way, you who are struggling, know that so many people carry hidden burdens, I try to remember that, and yes, I am a great believer in the power of a tiny little puppy to help fill those empty places in our hearts, to make us laugh and believe again in something bigger and more eternal in our lives...
Most Sincere Thanksgiving
Blessings,
Terry
"Darn,,, mom's getting the camera out~!"
Letter From Foxglove Farm
March 2009
Dear Readers, Oh, at long last SPRING is in the air!!! Our
"Little Folk" as we call the puppies, are full of bounce and lift little muzzles to the air, obviously delighted with warmer temps and a chance to PLAY OUTSIDE!!!! I have to laugh, it's also time for puppies to go to their new homes as the Spring babies mature, which means bath time and then PICTURES!!! Here is an amusing set of photos, telling the tale of one little weary puppy,,, he thought we were going out to play in the sunshine,,, and oh sigh,,, first we have to do PICTURES!!!!
"Mom, I'm sooooo bored, are we done yet??"
"I'm ready to Play!!!!"
"Might as well have a nap..."
"What a handsome boy!!!"
"I don't think I like the camera mom..."
Letter From Foxglove Farm
March 6th, 2010
Dear Gentle Readers & Friends, It's been just almost exactly one year since my last entry on this, one of my most loved pages of this endeavor called "Foxglove Farm"... As many of you know, I have spent the last three years caring for my father, during his lengthy battle will his old enemies, illness, old age & infirmity. Daddy fought a gallant fight, but on Valentines Day almost three weeks ago, he laid down his long carried burdens, and I was with him when he left this world, stepping into that other side, where I believe with all my heart, his Lord & Savior Jesus waited to welcome him home... I almost cannot believe he has left me, I have never been able to have children, and he and my mother have been so very precious to me, his care I guess filled a place in my heart that had long been empty. I spent so many years away from home, and my dear family, I thank God that I had the privilege of spending so much time with daddy, getting to know again, the father who I had never truly had the opportunity to become friends with... It is a long rather dark & sad story, but suffice to say, I found a father whom I never really knew, and I am unspeakably grateful for our last years together, and for the change that only God could have produced in my father...
I have included the Eulogy that I wrote & read at daddy's funeral, it tells just a bit about a man who was entirely human, and in the end, entirely loved by so many, and finally thankfully understood by his oldest daughter...
Eulogy For My Father
My daddy found the Lord late in life,,, long after I had begun to give up hope that he would ever be saved. Oh, but God is indeed merciful & answered our prayers, and daddy found the Lord and it changed him forever. We all "work out our own salvation" in many different ways, and though daddy still struggled (as we all do) with his besetting sins,,, he began to show fruit & evidence of his salvation, that increased every year of his life.
Daddy truly loved people, especially the small unnoticed ones he had a gift of bringing encouragement & laughter to the elderly, the ill & alone. He called it "Visiting My Invalids" and would make his daily rounds, always with his little black dog "Lady" at his side. Together they would bring a donut or cup of soup, maybe one of his beloved baloney sandwiches,,, to those he deemed in need of a meal or a good laugh. He was faithful in his rounds,,, visiting those forgotten ones,,, often daily & then come with stories of his visits & the struggles of those ones he cared for.
I asked him one day about his prayers, what he prayed about, and I was surprised and humbled at his answer, of the daily prayers he sent up for our mother, and for those he loved. One day when I stopped in to check on him and bring him his supper, he had been in bed much of the day, and he exclaimed, "You know, it seems like I pray all day long!", it brought me to tears, yes, God had made a big change in my daddy's heart & life...
The world won't much notice the passing of this dear old carpenter, so diminished by the years of illness and of struggle - but he leaves an aching void in many hearts, I am astonished at the pain I feel, though I wouldn't wish him back to suffer here, his passing leaves such an empty place in my heart, that I can never fill,,, we all will miss him so,,, even his little Lady grieves her beloved master, his constant companion was faithful till the end, her job of caring for him, like mine, has ended...
I had the privilege of being with daddy when he left this world, the last words he heard were of love & comfort, his last sight of one who loved him dearly... He left quietly, somehow a figure who had always been larger than life, was suddenly small and diminished - simply, unbelievably, not with me anymore...
OH, but we will meet again, how wonderful that we have the precious promise of God "absent with the body, present with the Lord"!!!, I will meet you again daddy, no longer frail & ill, no longer struggling with the weakness of this flesh, but more alive & joyous than this life ever saw you, thank you Lord for your promises.
I told daddy in his last moments, that it was ok, to go with God,,, & I know that indeed Jesus was faithfully waiting to lead my beloved father safely Home...
"Blessed are they who mourn,,,
for they shall be comforted..."
The fondest desire of my heart is that though such an unlikely place as this, that someone would find that most precious of gifts, Eternal Life, through accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, my prayer is that many of you will be encouraged and lifted up by what is shared here, & that perhaps someone will even find that precious gift of a changed life through calling upon my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, who makes all things new, who brings light into the darkest times of our lives. I pray that you find this peace, this true life changing relationship, that you find real joy & the peace that only comes in Christ....
If you would like to ask Him into your heart to save you and take you to Heaven when you die, you can pray a sincere prayer from your heart, much like the one my daddy prayed,,,,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner and that you sent your only son Jesus to die on the
cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Please forgive me on my sins and come into my heart & save
me and take me to Heaven when I die. Help me to live for you, show me your will for my life. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen...
Such a simple, but life changing prayer, if you have questions, or have prayed this prayer, I'd love to help, I'd love to pray for you, I'm always available at oneangelgate@hotmail.com or call me at 1-419-552-6670
Kindest Of Regards,
Terry
