Spiritual Things Matter

I hear the fluttering wings of the dove
It has landed in a new place now.
Seeing, perhaps, the entire story
From far above that earth-bound house.

A gentle breeze has come to settle
Bringing with it sweet fragrance from above.
Tears of love can flow freely now -
Making tender the ground upon which we walk.

A gift it was to have been born
Human form – a rare gift indeed.
Lessons given have been etched deeply within,
Love’s eyes and hearts are ready to heal.

Into a new realm existence remains,
Far beyond the shadows of this earth.
Awareness expands, infinite understanding appears,
Perhaps bringing light to those that still seek.

^{_{Photograph by: Lionel Bodilis}}
~Teri~

May you find peace in the midst of turmoil today.
May you find comfort in your own tears.
May those tears flow freely with fond memories to pass on,
And may the presence of your beloved always be in your heart.

I pray for you today, that the joys of yesterday will never be forgotten,
That the pains you shared together have created a lasting bond,
That you embrace yourself gently as you tenderly say goodbye,
And that your goodbyes will only be in passing.

May you find comfort in the mysteries of life and death,
For life brings tears that flow with so much wisdom,
Proclaiming that nothing every really dies but only changes -
And in that change comes greater awareness of the Divine.

~Viola M. Jaynes

*Dedicated to Teri as she finds comfort in her loss.*

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. ~Anatole France

^{Photograph by K. Alan Lewis}

Kal, one of my cyberfriends, just lost his dear dog of nine years. Beau had prostate cancer which, when discovered, had already spread through much of his body. Kal loved his friend too much to allow him to suffer with pain any more than he already had. Therefore, he made the very painful decision to put him to sleep. Kal’s heart is hurting right now. He will miss his friend terribly. Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers. Anyone that is a pet owner knows how much a part of our lives these animals can be.

I was always so moved when Kal wrote about his four-legged child and friend on his site. It was clear just how much they meant to each other. I am glad that Beau had such a good home, such a loving parent to love him and care for him. My thoughts and love are with Kal and Beau as I dedicate this poem to them both.

Man’s Best Friend

Animals! Oh what friends -
if we want them to be;
touched by their innocence -
we are forever changed.
It is a gift indescribable,
so precious, and unforgettable
as they quietly see into our hearts
and somehow understand.

Spoken words of exchange
are impossible, they say -
between man and this lovely
wide-eyed creature.
Yet, love’s language is always present -
if we just listen…
of acceptance and devotion
they so generously give away.

A best friend,
a faithful consoler,
and a true companion -
is the presence of such a comforting
and trusted friend.
Mysteriously, such pure love is possible
between them and us -
for when tears are shed at their loss -
we grasp this truth again.

Lovingly dedicated to Alan and Beau in memory of Beau’s happy life on this earth.

~Viola Jaynes
August 19, 2008

Oh death, suddenly you come – but we fear you not.
You teach us awareness, each and every time.
You teach us humility and gratefulness.
Your presence brings new resolve into our lives -
to be kinder to all who have been entrusted to us.
To love even more deeply those who need us -
as well as those who want from us.

Oh death, you embrace us with a very cold chill -
leaving us to find warmth and comfort again.
You whisper realities into our ears that are not of this world -
that we might seek and seek,
and then finally find a deeper
and more secure place within ourselves.
Indeed, you are a part of the cycle of birth and dying -
of beginning and ending.
Yet, never the end to Light and Love -
for always it will continue on.

Let comfort come to those who are left behind.
Let light and hope illuminate the heart.
Let time bring its gentle healing kiss -
that tears may transform grief into laughter and joy again.
Let the beauty of life blossom
in each one who has loved him – whom you have taken.
Let them always remember him
and the joy and the love he so generously gave.

~Viola M. Jaynes

~Dedicated to the Memory of Barney Bolt~