We all want to say farewell and see ya later to our friend Lobie. She was a fine friend and companion to our friends Jan and John and thier family.
I’m Still Here
Friend, please don't mourn for me,
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day,
And within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near,
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart,
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight.
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach.
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around,
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
You can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
And you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep,
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!
Author Unknown
20 comments:
Jan,
Im so sorry about your loss, I haven't been around that much, but thinking about you.!!
Chloe, It hurts us when something happens to those we love, when my son used to hurt himself.....I remember wishing that it was I that suffered......she is a brave little indian....and has already forgotten it...hope that the next time is just a bruise.!
Jan,
I'm so sorry for you and John...
Carol provided a beautiful tribute to your
beloved Lobie...hope the words give a little
comfort...
Carol, words cannot express what I feel when seeing the picture you posted of Lobie and the pome. John and I just read the poem together. Thank you so much. It is the most beautiful pome. I will remember it when I see the first ray sun in the morning, the first blossom in spring, and on and on. What a gift you are giving me and John in this post. God Bless you and I love you.
Solar, thank you so much for your thoughts of us.
Coreen, a thousand times "yes" this beautiful tribute and your very kind words give us so much comfort.
I just went back and read comments from the previous post.
Carol & Chloe, thank you for crying with us. I don't think I cried this much when my dad died a few years ago - I probably just don't remember.
Carol, I love the caption over Lobie's picture "A lady knows when it is time to leave" that just blows me away. We went to a book sale at our church this morning and our priest (a woman) cried with us too - she has a lovely cat who is her companion. She showed us a book just for writing special things about our animal companions who have left us. I am going to write your caption Carol.
When I first posted this pic of Lobie, you said something about her eyes - and it was like looking into her soul - something like that. She had unusual eyes - something that first attracted us to her. She had blue spots in both eyes - they are not cataracts - you can see them in the picture - but they are in different locations in each of her eyes. When I would look into her eyes, I just melted.
Ivy, I remember what you said about mementos and I wish now I had cut some of her hair. I thought we would have more time with her but it all happended so fast. I am going to put together a little album with all our pics of her and some mementos that we have. I think John and I will write a story of her life while it is all so fresh right now. Thank you for those great ideas.
Jan, you guys have been in my thoughts all day. After I posted our tribute to Lobie I went outside to sit on the little deck. Just as I sat down, a beautiful blue dragonfly landed on my shoulder. It stayed there for the longest time. I don't know if you have heard me talk about my feelings about dragonflies. I think of them as the souls of those who have pasted. I think it was Lobie dropping by to say thanks. It's amazing the mobility we acquire once we are no longer encumbered by our physical bodies.
Carol, That really is a beautiful poem, and Jan, I'm very glad that you were so touched by it.
".hope that the next time is just a bruise.! "
Solar, It actually turned out to not be much more than a bruise, looking at it today. It was just weird that she was out for a few seconds (and looked to not be breathing). She also looked stunned all the way to Emergency (there 'was' a really loud 'thump' when her little head hit that heavy wood chair).
I still have Natasha Richardson fresh in my mind - where she fell and thought she was fine, and then boom, she was gone several hours later. Emergency thought the Cat Scan was necessary (because of the passing out), but it all turned out well. Her mom does faint occasionally when she's under a lot of stress, but that didn't start until she was about 16. I wonder (in the back of my mind) if Emma's reaction could be related (?). Time will tell.
I was wondering if anyone has recognized that quote that I started Lobie's tribute with. It was a quote from Fried Green Tomatos. It stuck with me. Do any of you remember it?
Carol, I bet the blue dragonfly was Lobie. She was such an appreciative little friend. When we fed her or walked her we could just see the gratefulness in her eyes. I don't see many dragonflys here - they probably like to be close to water. I love your thought that dragonflys are souls that have passed. I have not heard that before.
Chloe, I too remember Natasha Richardson. That was very sad - and scary that the accident was rather minor and she seemed fine and then, later she died.
Children usually are much more resilient than adults I hope that is a comfort to you.
I am glad emergency wanted to do the cat scan.
Carol, I did not remember the quote. I have heard it before but don't know where or the context.
Chloe, when my kids were little, I was too young and naive about the possible hazards to worry. I think when we are older, we know more. It is funny that Carol has said she worried more about my kids and possibilities of them getting hurt. I didn't. I worry now about my grandkids getting hurt.
Jan, have you told little GD yet? She's going to take it hard. Maybe ya'll can put a little memorial garden in together and have a little service. I really don't know if that would help or make it worse.
Jan, I think parents are introduced to kids slowly, one at a time usually, unless you are octomom, so that you can get a little desentitized to the hazzards they are up against. Never having had any, I'm a nervous wreck when they are around, worrying about one getting hurt. When someone brings their kids out here, by the river, I really am running around with a net and a mattress.
Yes, and being young is a plus. Naive is necessary. Being a nurse, good in that you can patch them up but bad in that you know too many bad things that can happen.
Her parents told little GD sat morn and told me she cried a lot. We saw her last night and she is just fine. We are planning a little memorial service when we get the ashes.
"Chloe, when my kids were little, I was too young and naive about the possible hazards to worry."
Jan, I was the same way. But I must say, although I'm more concerned, careful, empathetic - all the things we become as we age and learn - I still don't spend a lot of time worrying about accidents. I don't want her to grow up fearful - 'and', as you may know, I'm a little superstitious. I think the things we worry about or obsess over, have more a tendency to happen. I 'try' to focus on good expectations (not to say I never worry - I do).
One thing I do though is make sure everything around her is as accident proof as possible, and when we're away from home, needless to say she's 'never' out of my reach.
I'm so glad that you're working your way through your loss, by talking about it Jan. If you don't 'work' your way through it, the pain lasts so much longer (and it becomes hard to let go).
I'm so glad to hear your granddaughter is doing fine Jan.
For Lobie's kids...from a wonderful book titled "Dog Heaven" written and illustrated by Cynthia Rylant. A comfort to children of all ages...
Dog Heaven
"When dogs go to Heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that dogs love running best. He gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields."
"Every angel who passes by has a biscuit for a dog. And, of course, all God's dogs sit when the angels say, 'sit.' Every dog becomes a good dog in Dog Heaven."
"Dogs in Dog Heaven have almost always belonged to somebody on Earth and, of course, the dogs remember this. Heaven is full of memories."
Dad and Jan,
I know you must be heartbroken today. What good dog she was. I'll never forget the story of how she picked you back in Arkansas and made you her family. Words can't express how sorry I am that she is gone.
It was a true honor to know Lobie and to have her in our lives. The girls and Glenn send love and comfort.
Love to you,
Jennifer
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