Jul 31, 2012

Willow: The Journey Across the Rainbow Bridge




"The Journey: Across the Rainbow Bridge"

By Michele Bilyeu

There is a place, the Rainbow Bridge, with colors of all hue…
It stretches through all space and time, to connect my heart to you

You were, you are, forever more, a part of all held near...
My inner child, my joy, my love, my little one so dear

My heartstrings stretch across the planes, to all my eyes can see…
To that inner world where all is felt, that keeps you close to me

When loved ones leave on journeys, across that Bridge of Light…
And hearts connect through love that’s shared, the beautiful and the bright

Through darkest clouds of pain and loss, to journeys that cross all time….
We fly on wings not of our own, our hearts, our spirits shine

We feel the sun's rays through us, we breathe in time, and space…
The hardness softens gently, the heaviness abates.

One moment measured out in time, one chord of celestial song…
Across that bridge, where magic waits, one heart light moves along

I feel you near, you comfort still, a sweet presence, not far apart…
The angels gather ‘round us both, in the gardens of our heart.


© Michele M. Bilyeu


*Michele Bilyeu: Rainbow Bridge poem about the loss of a beloved pet


Our beloved little Willow, now 18 years old, died today with me by her side all day, loving her, petting her soft fur, and letting her know that the Rainbow Bridge was within sight and that it was all right to cross over it.

I told her how much I loved her, what she had meant to all of our lives from the first day that she was a surprise 9th birthday gift for our youngest daughter.

Oh, and such a wonderful, wonderful surprise. Through so many hard times and challenging days, she was always there for us to hold, to curl up with, and to love.

She was always, always 'the best gift ever' and she will always be just that...a true gift to all of us.

We'll miss you with all our hearts, sweet Willow...... for we all loved you so!



Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska and all of her AAQI Quilting. Sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge and make or donate small art quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!

22 comments:

O'Quilts said...

Love...better to have had it than never had at all..sad about your beautiful cat..

stitchinpenny said...

The loss of a pet is always hard. She was a great part of your life.

Mad about Craft said...

So sorry that you have lost Willow. I loved the post about her dated 19th June.

Susan said...

Seems like you have had to deal with so much and now this on top of everything else...my deepest sympathies to you!

Unknown said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss of a beloved pet. Willow can dish with my past cats, Max & Fi and give a glancing nod to greyhounds/hearthounds, Danny & Mick.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I am sure she will get along with all my cats that are there too waiting to play.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I remember the day I spent like this with my black dog Jack. So hard to get over the loss when you love one so much.

My love and courage and strength and serenity to you. You have been having a hard time for too long.
Much love, Carol

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

Rest in Peace, Sweet Willow.

scrappy101 said...

Understanding the depth of your loss, wishing you strength and peace.

Cherie in St Louis said...

Okay, I'm sending the box of Kleenex. What a wonderful way she got to spend her time before leaving you.....the best gift you could give her. It's just so darned hard to lose the ones you love.

Magpie Sue said...

Even though you knew her time was coming it's still hard to lose the ones we cherish. She was a beautiful cat and I know had a wonderful life. Peace be with you and the ones you love.

Paula, the quilter said...

I am so sorry Willow is gone and I know how much you are going to miss her.

Anonymous said...

I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. I love the pictures you posted of Willow and I am sure they will bring fond memories to you in the months ahead. My sympathy and prayers are with you.

Susan

Angie said...

Sending hugs full of love and light to you, dear Michele. I can see Willow dancing in the field of magic light...

Nancy said...

Willow is so beautiful. I am sure your heart is broken. May I share with you a bit of verse that came to me on a sympathy card from my Vet when our dog died (a thousand years ago when I was married). This has stuck with me and it brought great comfort. It is from a book called "Separate Lifetimes" by Irving Townsend, and from a short story in that book called The Once Again Price". Here it is and I pray it brings you some comfort:
We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.”

I am sure Willow will be met by my daughter's beautiful tom cat Pumpkin, his mother Naala, and my rescue Beagles who are also at the Bridge and who always acted more feline than canine. ((( )))

Judy1522 said...

So sorry that you lost your dear cat Willow with everything else going on in your life. She was a beautiful cat and I am sure you will always remember many good times with her. For her to live as long as she did I know you gave her a good life and that she enriched your life as well. The hardest part of owning a pet is losing them.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear of your loss. It's never easy.

God bless

quiltmom anna said...

So sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Willow cat Michele. They can be such a comforting animal. It sounds like she was a beautiful friend to you all and will be missed. Sending you a comforting hug to you and your loved ones.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Quiltdivajulie said...

Go ahead and sob . . . we understand.

Clare said...

Oh Michele. My heart is breaking for you. Gone on - bawl your eyes out. I think you need a really good cry.

xxxx

Unknown said...

I am so very, deeply sorry. Such a beautiful cat. They become part of one's family and I grieve with you, knowing how you must feel from losing this dear friend.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful,beautiful cat, a loving and tender tribute to your love of a precious animal member of your family. It touched me deeply as I love my own animals so much and the loss of even one is so hard.