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
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.
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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
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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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