Rainbow Bridge

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 our friends 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 and times gone by. The animals are 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, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks 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 and your special friend 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 head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

This print is on the woman's wall. A little too sentimental for me but there's no accounting for taste. The artist is Gail Hogan.

Here they are. The soft eyes open.
If they have lived in a wood
It is a wood.
If they have lived on plains
It is grass rolling
Under their feet forever.
Having no souls, they have come,
Anyway, beyond their knowing.
Their instincts wholly bloom
And they rise.
The soft eyes open.

This rainbow appeared when Joe's ashes were scattered on the creek. Joe was a pal of mine, I'd known him most of my life. (He was younger than me too, only 16 when he crossed).

Each evening the woman who feeds me lights three candles.

A Candle, she says is a luminous symbol of the human spirit.

The first candle she lights represents Grief in memory of those who are no longer with us.

The second candle is the light of Love. We must cherish the special places in our hearts for our friends, she says, and thank them for the gift of friendship.

The third candle is the light of Hope. May the glow of this flame be the source of hopefulness now and forever, says the woman. She swears by the candles, claiming that it's not only the simplest ritual to create but satisfies a primal human need.

I certainly find that simply gazing at the hypnotic flickering flame is relaxing and conducive to a meditative, reflective mood. The flicker soothes me, it calms and heals.