If Perri could send a message from heaven, I think it would read something like this.

Dear Mommy,

I am having the time of my life. I've made so many new friends already. I am playing and eating millet again, and it tastes so good! I missed that stuff! God is feeding me good, just like you always did. Only nothing I eat makes my tummy sick. I'm already back up to 46 grams and still going! You would be so proud! It's so beautiful and peaceful here and I can't wait for you to join me. I'm saving you a seat right next to me and Phoebe and Meeko and Houdini. And by the way, they all were there to greet me when I awoke at the Rainbow Bridge. I, for not one second, have felt lonely, though I do long for your snuggles and to hear your heart beat in my tiny ear. That day will come. For now, don't think of me as gone, but just as a few steps ahead of you. Thank you for all you have done for me. For every prayer, every sleepless night, every tear you cried thru watching me struggle, as it made me realize exactly how loved I am and it kept me fighting. I didn't want to leave you, but my body was tired. So I went to the bottom of my cage to take a rest, and Jesus came in and scooped me up and carried me home with Him. It's His turn to hold me now against his chest and listen to His heart beat. It's so beautiful! I wish you could hear it! Please know that I have seen every tear you have shed since I've left. I saw you when you found me resting on my cage bottom peacefully. I felt you when you held my lifeless body against your chest and gave me the scritches you promised you would give me in the morning. I saw my sister cry as she held me in her hands and caressed my face and stroked my back. I wanted to kiss away the tears, and I would have if I could have. Please don't cry for me, though. Please go on loving and caring for my brothers and the flock, and give Ommie extra snuggles, he needs them. He misses me so much. And please get some rest. You are tired. You stayed up with me for several weeks until the wee hours of the morning making sure I was fed enough to safely sleep. Now it is your turn to sleep. Take care of daddy. He needs you! Go places together as a family. You haven't left the house for almost a year because you were worried about me. Do not worry anymore. I'm being taken care of. I'm not sick anymore. And my pain is gone. You did all that you could out of love, and I will never forget a single sacrifice you made. I was deeply loved and I always will be. Let your heart rest knowing you did all that you could and I lived because of your love, and the love that held us high from all around the world. I am grateful for every single prayer, every sleepless night, every tasty morsel that filled my tummy, every doctor that tried to make me well, every dollar that came in so that I could receive the care I needed, and the ongoing love that you are still receiving from all around the world. We are loved, Mommy. Now just be held and know that some day soon we will be together again. I will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge with wings open wide. - Perri "" Strutz