Halloweens With Suzy

This will be the first Halloween in 14 years without Suzy.  When she was a pup, she'd charge the door whenever trick-or-treaters came a'calling.  Full of anticipation, curiosity and joy, Suzy was totally involved in the festivities, the life-of-the-party, the bell-of-the-ball.

As years went by, she grew more self-controlled (for a Sheltie, that is) and would be right by my side as I handed out Butterfingers and Snickers Bars.  Often a few kids, or their parents, would oogle and ahh over Suzy's beauty and charm.  Sometimes we'd get requests to pet or let her come out on the porch. She always obliged, with wagging tail and big Suzy-smile!  The kids were as thrilled as I.

In recent years, Suzy lay in the living room and watched the festivities from afar.  Now a senior citizen, she was content to preside but not participate.  To observe rather than officiate.  Yet, if kids or parents ever got a glimpse of her through the front door, they'd still request a pet or a pat, still oogle and ahh, still be entranced by her presence and beauty.  No matter the occasion, it was fun with Suzy around.

This year I'm going to dinner and a play.  The house will be dark.

Listen to the Beat

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.

What is essential is invisible to the eye."

--Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Inner knowing.  We all have it.  Especially when it comes to matters of the heart.  Ever meet someone you felt as if you'd known all your life?  Or maybe even all of eternity?  It could be a person, a pet, a plant or even a feeling.  The familiarity with which you connect with that Being is everything and tells your nervous system that you're home at last.

Usually we bond with our pets in this atmosphere of gentle companionship.  When nothing special is asked of us and nothing special expected.  Just being together is enough.  And being together is, therefore, healing.  For when we feel comfortable, at ease and relaxed, we are in healing mode.  Our nerve endings can go off duty.  Our breathing deepens and relaxes every muscle in our bodies.  Grace tends to work that way.

Suzy taught me so many lessons about grace.  And patience, forgiveness, sharing, caring, forebearance, loyalty, true friendship and love.  Suzy was my little professor of the heart and taught her only student well.  She was always an open book & instructed me to look forward never back.  Anticipate life with a smile not a frown.  Give others the benefit of the doubt and never question one's motives.  Always accept others at their word, and don't try to read into anything one says, for you'll most assuredly be wrong at least 50% of the time.

Suzy stressed the importance of really being with someone when you're together.  Listen not only to what people say but how they say it, the tone they use.  Watch body language.   A firm, "no" might mean one thing, while a smile and a nod definitely mean something else.  Often silence was the best way we could share each other's company fully and deeply.  Whether through walks in the woods or sharing a fireside belly rub and chat, words were not necessary when we felt undivided attention and strong bonds of friendship between us.

"Be here now" was a popular phrase in the 60s, originally coined by transendental guru, Ram Das.  I never knew where it originated but, now, I think he got it from his dog.

Memories Are Friends

"Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life." --John Muir

 

Happy Sunday to All
  Enjoy Our Season of Autumn Delights!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Light Forever Burns Bright

Those tender words we said to one another

Are stored in the secret heart of heaven.

One day, like the rain, they will fall and spread

And their mystery will grow green over the world.

---Rumi

And so it was with me & Suzy.  We spoke to each other through our eyes, thoughts, walks, touch and, most of all, our hearts.  We knew what the other was thinking at all times.  Wherever I was, Suzy was not far behind.  She watched over me like the guardian angel she was.  Even at the very end, as I backed out of the exam room at the vet's, she stared at me as if to say, "Farewell Old Friend." 

Farewell.  I will always love you and hold you in my highest esteem.  For you gave me more than words can express.  You were my guiding light, my highest honor, my deepest love and my truest friend.  For 14 wonderful years.

Through our bond, may our blog reach others who love their pets and give comfort and reassurance in times of loss or grief.  For the bond you had with your darling will remain forever in your life.  Love is strong and will sustain you when times are tough or the going gets rough.  Just remember when your pet was by your side and how your bond of love FELT.  It's still there.  It's light burns bright.

Autumn's Not the Same Without You

When I took this picture, three years ago, you were by my side.  Together we romped through colorful leaves that rustled with every step, skip and jump.  And, oh, how you loved running through piles of leaves!

A magical time.  Not far from home.  This tree stood so stately, so regal and tall.  Stretching it's canopy over a carpet of gold.  You chased a squirrel up its trunk, I remember, and barked joyfully after it in hot pursuit.  But the squirrel was faster and scampered up to the first level of branches, peered down and chuck-chuck-chuckled back at you in delight.  Ah, those were the days.

Today I ran some errands, walked around the block and giggled to myself as I watched three of my cats playing on the roof.  Autumn isn't the same without you, Suzy.  Never will be, I suspect.  But our memories are vivid and the times we spent walking through the glow of each season will forever remain in my heart. As will you. My sweet Sue.

Sunshine on My Shoulder

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread. 
Places to play in and pray in.
    ----John Muir

PBS recently aired a wonderful 12 hour special on the national parks produced and directed by Ken Burns.  I watched all 12 episodes and reveled in the majesty and beauty of our magnificent national parks.  Burns started the series with the discovery of the first park, Yosemite, back in the mid-1800's.  He quoted John Muir, one of the early pioneers and ended the whole documentary with these precious words.  I agree. 

Life is like a river.  It starts out slowly, meandering hither and yon.  Past canyons and ravines, mountains & streams. Until mid-life.  Then it picks up.  Sometimes flowing over rocks and crevices.  Gathering momentum under bridges and around rocks.  Until we meet old age.  Then it becomes a raging rapids.  Glowing, flowing fast, splashing, running over waterfalls and spilling over into memories of quieter passageways.

But it keeps on going.  In our national parks and across our lives.  The rivers wait for no one.  Enjoy what you can each and every day you have the good fortune to be a part of the flow of life. 
The river carries us forward never back.  Keeps moving with the force of life, in storms and sunshine, rapids and rainbows.  All is precious.
How will the river of life carry you?

Onward Through the Fog

A friend of mine always signs his letters with this last thought.  Onward through the fog.  What does it mean?  That life is so muddy, fuzzy, distorted, that we all have to trapse on, trudging through the sludge?  Not a very pretty picture, is it?

After Suzy died, though, I kind of feel like this.  Inch-by-inch, swimming against the current, feeling my way blindfolded.  And, it's hard.  Can't just pull myself up by my boot straps when I have no boots! Can you?  Should you?  Should I?

How DO we cope when the chips are down?  When we can't see the forest through the trees of our tears?  When there is no sunshine to light the way?  How do others cope with sadness, grief and adversity?  I'd like to know.  If you have any tips, send them my way.

Some pick-me-up-ers for me include:  my kits, nature, animals of any kind, beauty, trees, flowers, kind-hearted people, honesty, authenticity, closeness with friends or pets, sunsets, winding roads,Vermont, Switzerland and anyplace pretty, inviting and life-affirming.  For a start.