He shifted uncomfortably trying to find a
good way to lie down. “I just want to rest,”
he thought. He was trying to be quiet so he
didn’t wake anyone. “Being old is full of
aches and pains and limitations,” he thought.
Finally he found a comfortable position and
drifted off.





He woke to Momma soothing his brow
and talking softly to him. As he woke he
realized Momma was gone and he was
someplace new – not where he fell asleep.
Sighing deeply he decided he should try to
struggle to his feet and find his way home
before Momma worried.





He was surprised he was able to get up
with ease, in fact, he noticed that he felt
great. “I guess I just needed sleep,” he
thought. He decided he’d best look around
and figure out where he was. As far as he
could see the area was lovely, lush and
green. The sky was so blue and clear. There
were clear streams to drink from, wonderful
things to eat, and so much space to wander
about in. He was amazed how strong he felt.
“Not too bad for an old man,” he chuckled
to himself.





He found a small waterfall and wandered
through, enjoying the cooling shower. He
wondered what part of the yard he was in
and how very hard Dad must have worked to
create this place. As he thought about his
Dad he thought to himself, “Maybe I should
be friendlier to Dad. He’s a big tease, and he
likes to play a bit rough at times, but he’s
never hurt me. And he has always seen to
my needs. Maybe when he wakes I’ll go do
something nice for him.





As evening approached Grizz became a
little concerned. He still hadn’t found his
way to any familiar part of the yard, or
spotted the special house Dad had built for
him, or the home Momma and Dad shared.
He began to worry that Momma would be
upset or worry about him.





Grizz looked up and realized the entire
sky was one enormous perfect rainbow, so
beautiful it was breathtaking. “Oh wow,” he
thought, “I sure hope Dad is seeing this. he
will love it!” thinking to get Dad to look so
he would see the rainbow Grizz began to
squeal as loud as he could. He was hoping
Dad would look and see the sky above.
Almost as an answer he heard Momma and
Dad talking. He followed their voices and
found himself at a clear sparkling pond. The
surface was so smooth and clear it looked
like a mirror. When he looked into the
waters he was surprised that instead of his
own reflection he saw Momma and Dad
talking. They seemed so very sad. He could
hear Momma’s heart, it hurt with a new loss
but it seemed too that she had expected it.
“He’s at peace, no more pain,” he heard his
Dad say. And you made sure he had a long,
happy, healthy life.” “Aww gee,” thought
Grizz. “Not another loss. There have been
so many lately. I have heard Dad talk to the
stars and cry. I have seen Momma cry. They
deserve a break.”





He watched a few more moments. “Why
can I see them in the water, but I cannot find
them?” he wondered, “And who did we
loose?” He heard a deep throaty chuckle
behind him. Then, a familiar voice, “Don’t
you know?” Grizz turned and suddenly face
to face with a large silver wolf.
“Awwwwww, gheeze,” sighed Grizz, “I
must be dreaming if you’re here. Maybe
when I wake I’ll still feel better.” The wolf
just grinned at the large pig.





“Big brother, where is the last place you
KNOW where you were?” Grizz stared at
the large wolf and thought. “I guess when I
was trying to get to sleep. I remember
Momma trying to sooth me, but I can’t
remember clearly where I was then.” “No
big brother,” the wolf said quietly, “Momma
wasn’t there.” Grizz looked at the silver
wolf, stunned. “Pooky, she WAS there. I
remember her very clearly,” he said with as
much conviction as he could muster.
“SHE WAS THERE!”





Pooky walked to Grizz and nuzzled him
gently, “No, she wasn’t there, and you did
not dream it. This is not a dream either.”
Grizz heard a noise behind Pooky and
looked. There waiting ever so quietly was
Shi Shi, Momma’s blue-eyed Siberian. “If
this is not a dream, then how?” demanded
Grizz. “Both of you left us some time back.”
Now Shi Shi walked over and nuzzled
Grizz. “Because big brother, you are with us
now, us and all those that left Momma and
Daddy,” she said quietly. The two got quiet
to allow Grizz time to take in what she had
said. “But Momma was there,” he said at
last, “I heard her, felt her touch.”





Shi Shi nuzzled him again, “No, Momma
couldn’t be there. But she loves you so.
When those who love us cannot be with us
when we cross over there are special angels
who hold us in our special person or
people’s love. Momma couldn’t be there so
a special angel held you in Momma’s love.”
Grizz thought on his little sister’s words, “I
didn’t want to be a bother, to complain.
There has been so much loss and pain.”
Pooky looked proudly at Grizz, “They knew,
marveled at how brave you are.”





Grizz was silent for a moment. “I never
said good-bye,” he said quietly, in almost a
whisper.”I should have said good-bye.”
Shi Shi nudged him gently, guiding him
back to the pond. “They know,” she said.
“You can always watch them here, in the
reflecting pond. When you are ready we’ll
show you how to visit.”

(c) Candace 4/30/07

~*~ ~*~