In Memory of Mystique; and dedicated to my dear friend, Helen, whose life embodies Heart Love. The following was after learning Helen lost her cherished puppy, Mystique.
Dear Helen,
I am so moved by your email and your feelings expressed about Mystique, which I read at midnight; that try as I might I couldn’t sleep until 3 or 4 o’clock and then so fitfully. I want to respond to your very sweet email of Mystique's passing and send you my love and best wishes.
Your loving is very beautiful and inspiring to me and has been as long as I have known you. You have always represented the archetype of love to me, and you deserve all the love you’ve given returned to you in your grieving time. Imagining losing my puppies, someone so valuable and important, has reminded me of that part which I hold most dear. I can hardly stand even the thought of such loss. And although I know I will have to go through it, my heart hurts so just with the thinking.
The night you lost Mystique, Maggie and Jessie ran away and got lost. After searching all night (7 hours) in freezing weather, I found them bedraggled and weary (actually they miraculously found me at a Gas Station miles away filling up so as to continue the search). I had been beside myself thinking this is it. They’re gone. And to think at the same moments you were losing Mystique. There’s a pain in my throat now again.
I‘m sending three stories and three pictures that I hope might comfort you in this time. Each, I believe, comes from the same spirit of love that you and Mystique embody. Mystique was so very, very, very lucky to be loved by you. And you by her. Please realize that all the unconditional love she gave you is the exact same spirit you are and gave her. I believe there are no accidents of those who share our world.
All the best to you, Helen, in this difficult time. Mystique, the Angel dog, will always live in your heart. Always there to love you as much as you need, her sweet face but a dream moment away. Mystique is you in some wonderful mystical way.
We all come and we all go. What we leave behind that matters is the Love. Mystique and Helen and Neil have left so much love behind. Thank you to you all.
w/ love, Paul :)
*****************************************************
The Old Man and His Dog
By: Author Unknown
An old man and his dog were walking along a country road, enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to the man that he had died. He remembered dying, and realized, too, that the dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road would lead them, and continued onward.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall, white arch that gleamed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He was pleased that he had finally arrived at heaven, and the man and his dog walked toward the gate. As he got closer, he saw someone sitting at a beautifully carved desk off to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, but is this heaven?"
"Yes, it is, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The gatekeeper gestured to his rear, and the huge gate began to open.
"I assume my friend can come in..." the man said, gesturing toward his dog.
But the reply was, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought about it, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back toward the road, and continued in the direction he had been going. After another long walk, he reached the top of another long hill, and he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate. There was no fence, and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, as grass had grown up around it. As he approached the gate, he saw a man just inside, sitting in the shade of a tree in a rickety old chair, reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"He's welcome too, and there's a bowl by the pump," he said. They walked through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a dipper hanging on it and a bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog, and then took a long drink himself.
When both were satisfied, he and the dog walked back toward the man, who was sitting under the tree waiting for them, and asked, "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "It certainly doesn't look like heaven, and there's another man down the road who said that place was heaven."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?"
"Yes, it was beautiful."
"Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it offend you for them to use the name of heaven like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but it actually saves us a lot of time. They screen out the people who are willing to leave their best friends behind."
*****************************************************
A Dog's Plea
by Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
Please keep me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet besides the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good heath, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I drew that my fate was always safest in your loving hands....
*****************************************************
Cuts Both Ways
by Loveson G. Flower
May 23, 1999
Maggie ran away today
Climbing over fence.
Wagging her tail furiously
Blind to danger’s chance.
So I hopped into my car,
Drove around the town.
Hoping so cruelty’s horror
Wouldn’t come around.
For if Maggie dies I fear
That couldn’t go on.
Her gift wagging love so dear
Wouldn’t come along.
Then I don’t know how I’d face
Each and every day.
How I’d go if couldn’t chase
Maggie’s scary play.
Is my love for her so strong
That it will crush me?
Will it shove to death if wrong
Comes to kill Maggie?
How could ever I let go
Of one who’s so dear?
Seems I’d never better show
Love can cruelly shear.
For who would ever then love
If the loss so great
Brings cruel feelings bent above,
Loving tossed to hate?
Love is but a two-edged sword,
Surely cuts both ways.
But to shut out loving’s soar
Worm’s new wings are slain.
Flying high can never last.
Butterfly must fall.
That’s why I am everlasting
Lover of you, Paul.
*****************************************************
Again….Much love to you Helen now and always. Thank you for your wonderful friendship and help with French. I hope to speak to you soon.
Paul
From an email, January 19, 2004; nearly two months after moving to France.
*****************************************************
A poem Helen wrote for Mystique during the night before her puppy died:
Mystque-y,
You're my best friend
You're my confidante
You're my precious baby girl
You're my pal
You're my love
You ARE love
You're my protector
And my personal connection to the Divine
You're my walking and beach/bench-sitting buddy
You're my teacher
You're my Mystique.
