A Christmas Story

I just received this in an email from a rainbow bridge forum I belong to. It made me cry, and my eyes are still leaking, but in a strange way, it also helped to relieve some of the loneliness I've been feeling as it draws close to my first Christmas without Bummy.

I thought I'd share it, as there are many of us that are trying to get through our first Christmas without a special furbaby.

Merry Christmas! We love you all.

Joan, Dave, Elmer, Freddie and Chubz

A Christmas Story

December is the best month of the year at the Rainbow Bridge. For the dogs
there is snow to romp in and the angels always have time to toss snowballs for
them to chase. The cats enjoy patting at the snowflakes as they fall, and then
curling up near the fireplace for a nice winter's nap.

But it is the lights that make this time so special. Winter on the Earth, their
former home, is a time of lengthening darkness, and in December candles glow all
around the globe beginning with Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, and continuing
on right through the New Year's festivities. At the Bridge the glow of these
candles is reflected in all of the trees, and in the hearts of every Bridgekid
as they observe the month in their own special way; with memories of the lives,
and the loved ones they left behind.

For most it is a time of quiet joy, but each year there are always a few who
draw apart..Near to midnight, "home time" on December 24 Charlie realized
someone was missing from the Hale gathering. "I'll be right back," he told his
siblings. He passed many similar groupings as he hurried down the well worn
path, many friends called out to him, but he only acknowledge the greetings with
a wave and continued on. The path ended at the Rainbow, and there he found a
small group of newcomers, each sitting quietly, alone. One of these, the missing
Sandifur, was crouched at the very edge, his stumpy tail twitching rapidly, as
he stared at the scene below.

"You are missing the party, little brother," Charlie said.
"I don't care," replied Sandifur, "I don't like Christmas anyway. "

Charlie only smiled. "I felt the same way my first year. Do you remember your
very first Christmas with Mom and Dad? Remember the new scratching tree they
gave us that year, and the catnip mice? And remember all the good things we got
to eat? That was a great time, wasn't it?" Sandifur nodded, still gazing
intently below. "I want to go back."
"I did too, " Charlie said, licking gently at his brother's ear. "But we can't,
baby brother. This is our place now." "But it's Christmas, and Mom and Dad miss
us so much. Look, mom is lighting a candle right now, just for us and she is
crying."

"Christmas Eve is her time to remember, little one, but tomorrow she will pass
out the presents to all of our brothers and sisters, and she will be happy
again. I want to show you something. Come with me."
Together the two kiddens climbed the arch of the Rainbow, and at the very top
Charlie stopped. "Do you see that big silver cloud over there? Watch closely."

As Sandifur gazed the cloud began to swirl and gradually an image came into
view. The clearing where he had left his family, and a larger gathering around
the big, glowing pine tree. He could see the dogs, many more of them than when
he had left, playing fetch and tug of war, and the kiddens, so many kiddens,
sleeping in a heap, their soggy catnip mice forgotten in the grass.

Suddenly the kiddens all woke up, and the dogs ceased their play and stared into
the darkness beyond the clearing, tails wagging in greeting.
And then, much to Sandifur's amazement, two humans stepped into the light."
"Hurry, Charlie, we have to go back," he said. " Mom and Dad, they're here!"
"Not just yet, Sandy. That cloud is our Window into Tomorrow.
Come back with me now, and join the others. The reunion will come. We have been
promised."

Sandy reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the vision of the future, and
followed Charlie. They found the others waiting for them at the base of the
rainbow. "Is it time?" Charlie asked.Terrie nodded, "They are waiting."
All of the Hale Bridgekids drew together, and looked over the edge, and along
the entire length of the rainbow similar groups were gathered, all looking down
at their former homes.

Suddenly the light of a million candles from the Earth met the glow from the
Rainbow Bridge. "Now," Charlie whispered.

In unison three words were repeated again and again, and as they were spoken
they merged with the bridge of light, flowing from the rainbow to the earth, and
back again in ever increasing brilliance, and the colors of the rainbow merged
with the light. "I love you," they all said, and the love entered every heart of
the pet parents on earth, and the hearts of those who gathered at the rainbow.

"Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad," Sandifur whispered again, watching the lights
slowly fade. "I love you. I will be waiting."

"I will look ahead for there is our tomorrow."

by Marion Hale