Milliron Monday: Attitude of Gratitude

Dr. Smith preparing for surgery at Milliron Clinic, Athens, Ohio

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). 

“I would love to live like a river flows,

carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”

― John O'Donohue

 

Twelve years ago tomorrow Dr. Smith succumbed to severe injuries from a falling tree. Today, we celebrate his life with gratitude. The Smith family continues to “live life, how a river flows, carried by the surprise of it’s own unfolding.” 

 

Three grandsons - AJ, Grant, and Noah - are like "arrows shot from a strong bow." Each grandson, in Smith-fashion, serve and inspire others. AJ, with his heart of service, motivates others to live intentionally; Grant, the creator of Taking it For Granted: A Happiness Podcast, explores the benefits of being happy; Noah, Pete's youngest grandson, is a scholar who travels the world inspiring all in his path. 

Jessica writes...

Both mom and dad were influential in Noah and me becoming eager lifelong learners. I imagine, had they lived longer, like their parents did, mom and dad would both be re-reading again and again The Urantia Book, especially pages 1101-1103 (The Acme of Religious Living) www.urantia.org, as well as the Bible, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, Dr. Fulford’s Touch of Life by Robert C. Fulford, DO, Kinship with All Life by J. Allen Boone, and, of course, Rachel L. Carson’s The Sea Around Us and Silent Spring.

I miss the discussions Dad and I experienced as we explored humility, surrendering of self-will (LOVE is an absence of self-will, resentmentS are evidence of self-will regarding the past, FEARs are evidence of self-will regarding the future. Self-pity and depression are frequently indicative of self will in the present moment) and the value of living vulnerably, breath by breath, filled with gratitude, always recognizing “Life is love, all else is imagined confusion”! 

Mourning  

by Robert Gonzales (1949-2021)  www.living-compassion.org

I stand before the presence of your absence

And something DEEP in me responds,

shuddering in awe,

moved beyond experience.

Yes, there is a place.

You are not here,

But you are alive

Reminding me that I will never rest

Again in the place of staying.

Showing me that I am riding

The Current of Living,

Ever-becoming, always dying

In wonderful delight and sorrow.

I am moved

Beyond the thing-ness of my flesh,

Never knowing what will erupt

In the next moment – laughter or tears.

Left: Noah with Aunt Janet Riben (Pete's Sister) August 2022, Sweden
Right: (front row) Cousin Anna Riben, Pete
(back row) Noah, Jessica, Rich, and Jody 1990s

Have a great week ahead.

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

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.