December is
the best month of the year at the Rainbow Bridge
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."
Sandy
"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
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
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."
(Marion Hale)
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