The life celebration was a one-of-a-kind event in true Petey style. For those who helped plan or attended the event, Thank You. For those who could not make it, please let the words below and the pictures in the photo gallery allow you to fondly remember our dear friend and loved one.
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"Good afternoon everyone. My name is Deron Davis. On behalf of Petey’s family, welcome to the Farm and thank you for joining us to celebrate Petey’s life.

Thank you to the Emerson Drummers and flutist Venetia Butler for sharing their music with us. A little later we’ll hear from Venetia again as well as soloist Cyndy Stephens.

Like many of you, I’ve shed a lot tears for Petey over the last year. I’m sure I’ll cry again today, but what I want to do; is what Petey wanted. Several years ago, Petey told me that she wanted a party when she passed away. Petey said, “like they do in New Orleans with great music and raucous laughter. They really know how to do it right.”

Today there are many ways we will celebrate Petey. You will see some of her favorite things…water, flowers, dragonflies, pumpkins, snow globes, costumes, children.

You will hear stories from her family and friends… and hear some of her favorite music.

We invite you to visit the cabin to the left of the house for a quiet personal reflection on Petey’s life. Share a memory or a wish with Petey by writing it on a piece of paper and placing it in the fire.

Please remember Petey’s giving spirit and enjoy our time together today…especially the surprises.

On your way out, take a Sycamore sapling that you can plant in a special place. The sycamore is Petey’s favorite tree and like Petey, it is very adaptable to a wide variety of situations.

I will start the reflections followed by Petey’s daughters, Petey’s sister, and a small cross section of Petey’s friends.

I met Petey shortly after college at a time when I really needed a mentor to help shape my future. Petey took me under her wing…and I never left that safe, loving place. I still feel nurtured and supported by Petey everyday. You know the saying, “be the person your dog thinks you are?” With Petey, if you can be the person that Petey thinks you are, anything is possible.

I called Petey my “Earth Mother.” And here are a few things my Earth Mother taught me:

1) Be prepared.

No matter how late you have to stay up…even if it means falling asleep in mid sentence surrounded by books with your reading glasses on your face.

2) Never let them see you sweat.

Things can and will go wrong, but the show must go on…even when you’re dressed like a Red Wolf that reeks because a mouse died in the bag and the middle schoolers you are teaching are falling out from the stinch.

3) Keep your word.

If someone asks you for help and you are able, say yes and follow through. Especially if you’re not sure what they asked and how you could possibly do it. Taking on these challenges will help you grow and allow you to be endlessly creative. Who knows, you might even write a play, put on a costume or sing a song.

4) Believe.

The work you are doing is the most important work in the world. It can and will make a difference. Even if you can’t see the fruits of your labor today or tomorrow, take advantage of the time you are given to do GREAT things.

5) Love one another.

We are all leaders and we have a responsibility to encourage and motivate each other to do the best we can. Petey was a natural leader. People wanted to help Petey achieve her vision. There are people in greater positions of authority than Petey, who could learn volumes from her about how to help people feel good about themselves and the work they are doing. Greater productivity and personal happiness grow from greater appreciation. Love one another."

Hope you can join us.

See invitation below for details.

Celebration of Life for Petey Giroux

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Come dance the joy of life
And cry a tear of grief
Celebrate an amazing spirit
And leave a memory to keep.

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Please join us in celebrating Petey’s life
on October 25th, 2008 at 1:30 PM
at the Farm at Arabia Mountain
in Lithonia, Georgia.

The reflection service will begin at 1:30.

There will be festivities, refreshments, and light hors d'oeuvres following.

The event will be held outdoors in the grass, so please dress accordingly.

In honor of Petey's favorite holiday, you can bring a decorated pumpkin to share. We will display them throughout the garden at the Farm. Please give your pumpkin to a greeter when you arrive.

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Directions:
Take I-20 East past I-285 to Evans Mill Road exit.
At the end of the ramp, turn right (Dairy Queen).
Straight to the end, turn right onto Klondike Road.
Go through round about and through Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.
At blinking caution light, turn left onto South Goddard Road.

Parking:
Turn right on Housworth Lane. Park in the grass immediately on the left. There will be parking attendants to assist you.

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We are collecting photos of Petey to be shown during her Celebration of Life on October 25. (More details about the Celebration will be posted very soon.) Please submit photos to Kim Bailey by Friday, October 10.

The best way to submit your photos is to email them to the following address:
kbailey0525.monarch@picasaweb.com
Just put “Petey” in the subject line, leave the message field blank, and attach your photos. You can send up to 20MB of photos at a time in JPG, GIF and PNG formats.

If you have any questions or need another way to submit photos, please contact Kim at kimbai@mindspring.com.

Thank you!

We are looking for homes for our Mom's Doggies

As many of you know our mom, Petey, had two wonderful doggies, Bridger and Einstein. Both of them are mixed breeds, rescued with tragic pasts. They have overcome lots and lived happily in their stable home together with Petey until last year when she was too sick to live alone and moved in with Courtaney who lives in a complex that has certain pet guidelines.

Our dad (Chad) took them so she could see them as often as possible until she got better. Now it is a year later and he has three of his own dogs plus two cats (one is mom's) and taking on two more permanently is just unfair for these two
creatures. I also thought about taking them, but I have two dogs, two children, and a cat and felt that they need someone who is not already
stretched thin.

Bridger and Einie are very different. Bridger is 6 years old. He is black and white and comes up to about your knee. He is quiet, easy going, and
submissive. He loves to play, kids, people, walks, and gets along well with other dogs and cats.

Einstein is also around 6 years old. He has the softest medium brown coat and sort of looks like an overgrown hot dog. He is highly insecure and will follow you everywhere. He will become your best friend guaranteed. He would be ideal for someone with no other pets. Maybe an older couple or single person would be good. He loves to go for walks and he loves to belong and be a part of that person's life. He wants to take part in what they are doing. He loves his dog bed but he is not too concerned about toys.

Bridger's photo is below and other pictures of the two of them are posted in the photo gallery of this website.

They are both updated on all shots. If you are interested in either or both of these wonderful babies please call Chad at 770-953-2389 before Sept 2.

Thank you!
Lynne