The Rainbow Bridge and a Glass of Water

Two days ago, I was on a pet loss bulletin board and someone posed this dilemma:

 “Here’s the problem I have with the whole Rainbow Bridge thing – what if my husband dies first? Does my dog go with him to heaven?  So when I get there, no one I waiting for me? Or does he wait for me to get there and my husband has to be without him until I get there? And what about my childhood dog? Is he with my parents – or waiting for me and my sister?”

[If you have no idea what the Rainbow Bridge is, the thumbnail sketch: some believe, literally or figuratively, when an animal passes, it waits in a big field by a rainbow bridge for its human to pass away. When the human dies, human and animal are reunited in this “pre-heaven” and cross the rainbow bridge to the afterlife together.  It’s a lovely poem by an unknown author that can be read in its entirety here.]

     I have been thinking about this person’s comment (and the many similar ones that were posted as follow up messages) ever since.

     I think of it this way: our bodies and those of our animals are merely containers for our essence/soul/spirit/energy/love/whatever you want to call it.  Like water in a glass, when we are stuck in the container, we can only be in one place at a time and only in one very rigid form.

     But release the water from the glass and what happens?  It transforms.  It is still the same water, but can be many places at once. It can be many different forms, from tiny droplets to giant puddles. It flows, separates and reconnects. It is here, but also there. It is many things while still being the same thing.  And I believe the same is true of our spirit when it is released from the confinements of our physical body.

     So if you ask me, do I personally think you will be reunited with your beloved animals when you pass from this life?  I will say yes.  They are waiting for you – and also for every one else who touched their life and whose life they touched.  They will go with you and they will wait for the others - at the very same time. They don’t have to choose and no one has to make that journey alone.

     At least, that’s what I think. There are many ideas about what, if anything, comes next and the truth is, none of us really knows. It’s not about finding the one Truth, but about finding our own truth.

What do you think?

  

Just Do It (without Regret)!

     I have often heard and repeated the saying, "You never regret the things you do, only the things you don't."  I believe it with my whole heart.

     But every belief is tested - usually more than once.

     For me, this happened a few years ago

Skiing on the Grass

     I'm guessing if you saw conditions like this when you arrived at a field to cross-country ski, you would hang up your skis and walk instead.

But not me.  Oh no.  Over my life, I have routinely been called stubborn, dogged and even occasionally STUPID (though I prefer "determined" and "persistent", don't you?).  These qualities - or flaws as some might call them - have lead me many places I never would have reached without them (a hospice for pets??  what are you crazy?) and some others we don't need to mention here. Those of you who know me won't be at all surprised to know that I insisted on skiing today anyway.

     For those of you who aren't likely to take these chances, I offer

The Top 5 Lessons I Learned Skiing on Grass

1.  Not all gifts are in the sunshine.  It's easy to think the best things will be found in the light, but sometimes what you are really seeking is found only in the shadows where it waits for you, protected, perfect, and undisturbed.

Quote for the Day: The World is Speaking to Us

the whole world is speaking to us. We need only be quiet for a moment and listen. The vast community of the universe will support and guide us if only we will respond graciously to its affectionate concern. 

~ Thomas Berry

Lessons from Hospice: Nurture the Soul

     Our work at New England Pet Hospice teaches us something new every day. I consider open-mindedness and open-heartedness the most critical character traits for all of our staff members, no matter what role they play in the organization.

     This work and what it teaches us is a gift; we must be open to receive it, open to learn from it, and open to share it.

Quote for the Day

Christmas gift suggestions: 

To your enemy, forgiveness. 

To an opponent, tolerance. 

To a friend, your heart. 

To a customer, service. 

To all, charity. 

To every child, a good example. 

To yourself, respect.

~Oren Arnold

Quote for the Day

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” 

~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross