Monday, June 21, 2021

Milliron Monday: Dear Diary

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.
June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017), including his wife Jody (1938-2021). Pete, a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, and Jody lived life to the fullest. They continue to motivate and inspire.

Jody kept a daily diary throughout her lifetime. As long as I knew her, she carried a pencil, ready to write. I don't ever remember her caring a pen, just a pencil, and usually it was down to the nub with a worn-out eraser. 

In the boxes of Jody's books, there are at least a dozen diaries. I was intrigued by two diaries that were on top of a pile of Jody's school yearbooks (photo above). The blue diary is from Susie Simons. It's a five-year diary, dated April 2, 1951. My guess a birthday present. The pages are yellowed and the pencil is fading. The diary is full of girl happenings; dance class, boys, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, exams, classmate scenarios, family events, and daily thoughts. Not every date has an entry. She stopped writing on July 8, 1951. The entry reads... Now Nosy, whoever you are, we skip to October 23. Too bad the blank pages make you miss all the choice information. She resumed on October 23... Whoever reads this besides me shouldn't be. But for your information about blank pages, I took a siesta! I wonder what she would think that we are reading her diary now. She would roll her eyes and slightly smile.


The red diary is locked. I don't have the key. Will we find the key? 

Have a great week ahead.



Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

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