She bounced out the door,
with only two feet on the floor,
if that –
for she was surely testing the limits of gravity –
although others thought she was testing the limits of their patience…
BAD DOG!
what? why?
How could this much joy possibly be bad?
look up.
there.
in the tree!
how high is She?
will she be able to get down to the ground?
wait- who is there?
how did You get on the other side of the fence?
what do you mean, i am on the other side of the fence?
.
somedays when i feel like no one is where they are supposed to be,
perhaps it is not them, but me.
(and no, the dog had not chased the cat up the tree,
and yes, she climbed down safely backwards like a bear.
and they both came when called,
and yes, i have to find the new hole in the fence….
but it is dark out now….and we are all really where we are supposed to be)
i was going to paint ducklings and ducks today…
all day
since i saw them,
newly hatched,
all waddling behind their mother –
hope and trust in motion –
that is what i was going to paint,
as if one can control these things –
.
but as i drive down the dirt of the road home,
there, in front of my driveway, is a small bundle of black fur, in the road
with two gals and a guy – their car stopped just ahead-
i pull into my drive, stop.
get out.
go to the one girl who is now cradling the little limp body…
what do i do? she asked,
you give him to me, i answer.
her eyes fill up,
so do mine.
his limp body, still warm, still perfect, too silent in my arms…
thank you so much for stopping i say..
bless you… really
i turn up the driveway…a small drop of red now appearing on the jet black nose…
we dig a grave, and place him in it….
and pray
for the small young cat, for the girls that stopped
and for the stranger that killed him with their car…
.
we sit down for a moment, watching the light fade,
our backs to the graveyard – and when we turn back,
there is a small black cat
sitting atop the newly turned earth..
we blink – for a moment reality shifted –
the suddenly present black cat, looks down to the ground and then back to us…
this is real
and
i realize trust and hope
in motion.
the ducklings were only the preamble.
twin tabbies,
looking like loaves of bread set to rise,
snooze
on the roof
of the pump house,
while the quiet work of dreams continues to raise us all up.
across the field they flew,
for they knew,
everyone deserves a piece of the pie!
the morning sun
kissed the leaves and my lashes
as i bowed my head in prayer.
all around me a chorus sang
and there was dancing everywhere.
i could keep my head bowed no more,
but raised it in praise
and looked up.
for all Your giving
and forgiving
may we all be thankful.
and may too, we be giving
and forgiving.
and filled with thanksgiving.
aho.
i first met Her as a young grrl
with the softest ears i had ever felt,
like velvet curtains
on the open window of Her face.
She was a beautiful flower,
who now blooms in the Heavens.
.
Have you ever noticed
how stars and lilies are the same shape?
different firmaments…. same sparkle.
she was scared of bells and bubbles,
squeak toys and opening doors…
but she then,
made a friend!
She jumped on his back
and copied what he did….
and thus
she learned how to play,
and bow.
Choose your friends wisely,
the true ones raise us up!
Ministry of Animals 