Zena

ZENA

The Greatest Gift


I always knew this time would come
From the very first time our eyes first met
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then and I keep that promise now.
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal,
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.
It is for me alone to make this decision.
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter.
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.
It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready,
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger,
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you the last gift, the greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating,
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow,
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken and I have listened
And unlike other decisions I have made,
This one brings no relief...no comfort...no peace
For if there's one thing I have learned...
Unconditional love has a condition after all.
I must be willing to let you go when you speak to me,
I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find the ones who have gone before you.
You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar.
I pray I will find comfort in my memories...
In the dark and lonely days ahead
I cannot say I will not miss you,
I cannot say I will not cry,
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But I promise you this...
as long as I live...You will live
Alive in my mind, forever in my heart
And this will be my greatest gift...
Sending you away
It is the measure of my unconditional love...
For only the greatest love can say
“Goodbye, go find the Rainbow Bridge
and yes, we'll meet again.
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all.”
Karla Bertram

Sue Smith October 22, 2009

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and they are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by. The animals are so happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together each day, but then the day comes when one suddenly stops and peers into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

YOU have been spotted, and when you finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved soft head, and you finally get to look once again into the loving eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

Author unknown...

Angie Fieldsend October 22, 2009

Precious Love

The agony is so great...
and yet I will stand it.
Had I not loved so very much...
I would not hurt so much.
But God knows I would not want to diminish
that precious love...
By one fraction of an ounce.
I will hurt...
And I will be grateful for that hurt
For it bears witness to the depth of my love.
And for that I will be eternally grateful.

AUTHOR:UNKNOWN

Joanne Stella'S Mam October 22, 2009

A SHEPHERD'S PRAYER
So do not grieve for me,
my friend As I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash is a shooting star
My boundaries are the milky way
Where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among my shepherd kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud
And gentle breezes are rocking me
I dream the dreams of earthling
And how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And milk bones line the walking ways
Just waiting to be found.
There even is a ring set up
The grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the "Best Of Breed".
For we're all winners in this place
We have no faults you see
And God passes out the ribbons
To each one--even me.
I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.
At night I sleep in an angel's arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent
And you reach heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait.

Author Unknown

Sue Smith July 8, 2009

I know what you're thinking. You think I'm dead. Because you cannot see me with your human eye, cannot feel me with your hands or hold me in your arms, you think I am gone forever.
You recall how I looked when I left this place, and you cannot remotely imagine that I could possibly be alive in another place. You are racked and torn by the pain of our separation and it blinds you to that which is right in front of you... me..............
I'm here to tell you different. You were worthy of my love and undying devotion on earth as I of yours. Do you really believe this love would be snatched from us forever by a loving Creator simply because I wasn't human? Was I not a living, breathing creation with personality? How could I have been so if I didn't possess the energy of soul, spirit and loving light? And if this energy is and always will be, then how can it be that I am dead?
.................

You say that all you have left are memories. Not so. You see, when I took leave of my earthly body I left a little something behind for you. You can't touch it, hold it or examine it for what I left behind is far too uninhibited for confinement. I left behind a piece of my soul. I placed it right next to your own which is quite fitting as we were always side by side in our earthly life together. I love you too much to have left you with nothing but memories, which tend to fade and grow cloudy as the years go by.
I love you too much to have vanished without a trace. How selfish it would be of me to remove love and light from your life.
.............

I understand your tears, each one you shed is testament to your love for me and I am honored and humbled. But don't forget the good things we shared - remember and smile. This is an honor for me as well. And when you need me I will be here. Close your eyes, relax, take slow, deep breaths and picture me in your mind. Shut off the world and your notions of what death is and give me a chance. Look for the subtle signs I send you. Don't stop being proud of me, I am a friend to be proud of, I am still your friend and soul mate.
Don't memorialize the death of my body but instead honor and celebrate my never-ending life for it is eternal and forever as is my love for you.
Until we meet again...
Author Unknown
(Passage from UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN)

Geraldine Snell December 16, 2008

For Zena, xxx.

Have you a dog in Heaven, Lord?
Is there room for just one more?
Cause my little dog died today;
he'll be waiting at your door.

Please take him into Heaven, Lord.
And keep him there for me,
just feed him, pet him, love him, Lord,
that’s all he'll ask of Thee.

Michael Standing December 14, 2008