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Ms Powder Marie's eyes drifted closed, "Just a short sleep," she thought. "Then I won't feel so tired." She murmured sleepily, "I'll feel better after my nap Momma. Then maybe we can go visit, or watch the others in the park, or even cross off one more 'to-do' on your bucket list for me." She smiled as she drifted off into a soft sleep wrapped in her Momma Susan's love, surrounded the thoughts and prayers of so many family members and friends who all loved her.
As she drifted into sleep she thought contentedly about how lucky she was and had been. She had a family that loved her and would not give up on her. As the monster stole more and more of her strength her family replaced her lost strength with love and their own strength. They found new ways to allow her to do as much as she could. Wheels had taken over when her back legs failed, then a wagon when all 4 legs failed. If there was a way her loves found it. "Yes," she thought as sleep took over, "I am a very lucky pup."
Ms Powder startled awake by a sense that something was different, though she was not quite sure what. She looked around and realized she was lying in tall sweet grass and that the day felt perfect. And a lovely rainbow filled the sky. "Momma must have realized I would wake from my rest soon and brought me out so I could enjoy such a lovely perfect morning," she thought. She stretched sleepily then started, "What?! HOW?! MY LEGS MOVED!!"
A soft friendly laugh alerted her, she was not alone! Looking toward the sound she saw a large silver wolf lounging near her, smiling at her. She instantly knew that she could trust The Silver One, but worried that Momma wasn't nearby. "Welcome My Lady," The Silver One said softly. "Don't fret that your Momma will worry, she knows exactly where you are."
"She is working so hard to help me with my bucket list. I wish I could tell her that the best part of that is being with her. All of those things on the list are great and fun, but I'm happy just being with her." Ms Powder pulled to her feet and looked around, "I hope she hurries back before my legs give out so she can see me standing and feeling so strong."
Before The Silver One could answer her wish the area was suddenly filled with all manner of animals. A small white goat was dancing back and forth excitedly, "She's here, she's here!" All of the animals pressed forward and seemed so happy to meet her. The Silver One smiled, "Yes, Snowflake, she is here. All of you have a care before you trample her!" Smiling at Ms Powder he continued. "You are their hero," he said. "By sharing your story and journey you helped others to see that a challenge is not an end and that life can still be full and happy."
Now Ms Powder was confused. Challenged? These were all healthy vibrant beings, not one was handicapped. She looked at The Silver One, "How am I there hero? My body fails more and more every day, and I watch as Momma's eyes leak because she cannot change things."
The Silver One looked at the gathering crowd and they quieted so that they could all hear. "These were all as you, My Lady. Oh, not all had DM, though some did. The small tabby kitty and the black and white bunny were blind, the scruffy grey pup was hit by a car and his back was broken, the white kitten was deaf, and the little calico had a bad heart. I could name every one here and each was challenged. Their challenges were not shared as yours were, but they traveled a similar road with their mommas and dads. Your story gave their parents courage to fight too."
Littlebit walked up to Ms Powder, "I was always so tired, but I loved life and my Mom and Dad helped my heart keep going. Some days I even played. I had a can filled with catnip that I really liked to play with. My Mom knows how hard your Momma fought for you and understands that commitment." One by one each one told Ms Powder their story. As she listened she began to realize that they had all been cured and she wondered if she had been cured too.
The Silver One seemed to sense her thoughts. When the last one had shared their tale he walked back to her side. "Like you, everyone here needed some kind of extra help. Some needed wheels like yours, some needed for things to be in the same place once they learned where they were, and some needed special care. Your Momma realized that what mattered was that you were happy and not hurting so that you could help people learn. And you did that job so very well."
Ms Powder looked around at the others. "No one here needs help. Have cures been found? A cure for DM?" She looked at The Silver One, "Is this just a wonderful dream?"
The Silver One looked a little sad now, "No, My Lady, no cures yet, and you are not dreaming." He watched her to see if she knew, "Like all here, you are cured because you are here."
Ms Powder looked puzzled and wondered where 'here' was. The Silver One spoke even more softly, "This is Rainbow Bridge."
Now it all flooded back to Ms Powder, Momma holding her, telling her how much she loved and would always love her, how sorry she was. Ms Powder looked at The Silver One, "Momma did so much for me, loved me so much. Is Momma going to be okay? Does she know how much I love her? Does she understand she did all she could and so much more than so many would have?"
Before The Silver One could answer Ms Powder heard her Momma, crying like her heart was broken. She rushed to the sound and found she was at the edge of a beautiful pond, but she saw Momma nowhere, "Please tell me where she is. I cannot leave her and cause such pain," Ms Powder said to The Silver One. "Please let me help her."
The Silver One nudged her gently, "We cannot undo time. But there are ways to visit and the others will help you learn. And this reflecting pond is special. Here you can look the waters and see your Momma and send your love to her. She will hurt and miss you, but will realize you are always with her."
The Silver One led Ms Powder to the pond's edge. "Look deeply into the water and focus on the love you share. Do you see her? Focus on the love you wish to send her and the winds that whisper will carry that love to her."
When she looked at the crystal clear waters she saw Momma and the rest of her family and friends that she loved so very much and held dear. "I will always watch over you ~ for all eternity, and love you to heaven and back again."
(c) Candace 7/30/15
Light a candle in memory of Powder Marie, for all those hurt or lost, for a sick, abused, or special needs furbaby,
or perhaps just someone who needs a prayer and a candle lit.
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