Monday, January 27, 2014

To Those Of Us Left Behind




It's been a pretty emotional week for me. A family I hold near and dear to my heart lost a sister, an aunt, and a beloved four-legged companion in the span of three days. How can someone even catch their breath after something like that?

The family member's death was heart wrenching yet expected due to a long illness but the dear pet came as a shock to everyone including myself. I took care of Max over the Christmas holidays and didn't realize at the time just how sick my little buddy was.

January should be a time of new beginnings and new adventures...not a time for saying goodbye. These past few days have reminded me of a time years ago when another friend of mine lost someone very dear to them. I had no words I felt at the time I could say to comfort them so instead I chose the best way I knew to express my feelings. I wrote my friend this poem:


Carry On
by Donna L Martin

When the clouds turn grey
And the path seems long,
When your will to fight
Doesn't seem that strong,
When the world turns away
And you feel you don't belong,
Just keep your head up...carry on.

When the turn of the card
Doesn't come your way,
When you want to give up
At the end of the day,
When friends start to leave
Though you wish they would stay,
Just keep your head up...carry on.

When night time draws near
And the darkness finds you,
When you feel so lost
And don't know what to do,
When something brings pain
And you discover others hurt too,
Just keep your head up...carry on.

When you lose someone you love
and you have to say goodbye,
When the truth begins to hurt
And you start wondering why,
When you know it'll get better
Yet still feel the need to cry,
Just keep your head up...and carry on.

Some people don't quite understand the bond between humans and animals. Some simply see a dog or cat as a costly possession. I don't see them that way. My Tommy is my furry companion, the gatekeeper to my darkest secrets,  and a good foot warmer in times of need. Just like Tommy, Max touched the lives of those closest to him in a way that will be forever remembered with love.

I came across a story a few weeks ago about a young man taken before his time. Zach Sobiech was dreaming of a life full of adventures when it was discovered he had Cancer and was going to die. In the time he had left Zach decided to leave behind as many happy memories of love and laughter as he could. He even wrote a beautiful song to help his loved ones cope with the hole in the fabric of their lives his passing would cause. 

When I first heard Zach's song I cried. But despite my tears I felt an incredibly warm, happy feeling created by the lyrics of this song. I've listened to Zach's song many, many times since then...each time wiping away a tear while I smile.  It's what I would like to think happens to all living things when their time comes to make that journey beyond the here and now.  I hope my dear friends have the strength to read this post one day and uncover the beauty I found in his song as well. And maybe it will bring them a little bit of peace during a difficult time...










13 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about your losses, Donna. Thanks for sharing the poem. I hope you find some comfort during this time.

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  2. Beautiful poem, Donna. Praying for you.

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  3. Thank you, ladies, for your kind words. Burial for all involved is today...it's gonna be another rough week...;-(

    Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. I formally met Max right after Christmas and of course, fell in love with him. He made sure the people across the street did not bother me. Whenever he saw them, he barked to tell them to go back in their house. (They must have heard him because they went back inside.) His passing was shocking. But I do believe he is in heaven because there is no evil in animals. He is probably now on the welcoming committee. And playing with that sister/aunt who went with him.

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more, Janet! It's a nice visual to think of Max, Penny, Chi Chi and some of the other animals that have crossed our paths over the years waiting to greet us again one day...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. It is sad to lose a loved one, whether they walk on two feet or four. Sending condolences and thoughts of hope and healing as your friend and family members deal with the grief.

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    1. Hi Angela and thank you for your kind words. Only time will dull the edges of the pain my friends are feeling today as they took care of two funerals...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Sorry for your loss, Donna. Your beautiful poem will be a comfort. I heard that cloud song just after he died, what an awesome thing to have all those people hear it a year later x

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    1. Hi Catherine! Thank you for your kind words. I can't explain fully how that song makes me feel but I can only pray my friends will draw comfort from it as much as I do...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Hi Donna .. your title is so true - and who knows the why or the when - it's the suddenness, the unexpected ... there will be ups and downs as grief rolls in and rolls around ... I am so sorry for the family ...

    Pets create special places in our hearts don't they ...

    I love Zach's song - amazing what some people can achieve ... grief and loss are never easy - with thoughts - Hilary

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    1. Thank you, Hilary, for your kind words. Time will help heal all sorrows...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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