Heaven-Near

The tears of love upon your face
while I sheltered midst your warm embrace
Such tender soft, the words you spoke
as you held me gently until I woke
And thus my soul you gave release
to the place where all find health and peace

Do you recall when you felt sick
and I could heal it with a lick?
Or days when you'd come home feeling sad
I'd act silly 'til it didn't seem so bad?

You often call me your Golden Boy
and loved me deeply, to my doggy joy
I cherish your hugs, your softest kiss
I can't deny, those things I'll miss

If it seems I am miles away and worlds apart
I've left a reminder, nestled in your heart
What may seem long is naught but a short stay
please know I am merely a breath away
No further than that, from there to here
I am very close, for I am Heaven-Near

I've crossed the Bridge and it is here I wait,
in a wondrous meadow, bordering a Golden gate
When it is time for us, for all-time to meet
I'll be tail wagging, fur-face smiling to greet

Together, we'll stride to that glittering wall
beyond which our future together doth call
Happy, healthy, and well we shall forever be
my beloved humans, my dearest friends, my kin...
You and me!

(Dedicated for a Golden Retriever, named Bob Gates, who will be missed by his humans.)

© copyright 2009 kathy pippig harris

Comfort Zone

Each person, if they are lucky, has a method for dealing with stress. It may be to pause, count to ten, taking deep relaxing breaths, in and out, then, AH! And that does the trick.

Other people may fume, wait until they are alone, let out a satisfying, gut-wrenching screech... perhaps even another belly busting bellow, then shoulders shrug off the tension and with a smile, he or she is ready to face whatever the rest of the day presents. For some, following a rough day at the office, dinner with their spouse will provide the outlet for each of them to iron out the day's events.

Often, during my lunch break, I could take a "power walk" and by the time I got back to the office, my mind was clear, with the stresses of the morning gone. For me, keeping the body working, after work-hours, allowed my mind to escape through the rote of physical exercise -- yard-work, jogging, going to the gym, the dojo, or horseback riding.

Sometimes, no matter how effective a person's approach to stress may be, nothing we try helps. Or for whatever reason we stumble on, without doing whatever it is we usually do to counter the emotional strain we are experiencing. This is a pattern we may repeat to our own consternation. It can be frustrating, making a person want to scream like a banshee. If you're lucky, that may help. If not, well, you may have embarrassed yourself if any neighbors, coworkers, or family members are within hearing distance.

However, there is one, near to me, who would not cringe or disappear in haste... And it is there where I can zone out. I have a large, comfy easy-chair. When I settle into it, pull the footrest up and push back to recline, I am almost there. I have but to stretch out my hand until it settles on the round, silky head of my Golden Retriever.

As I stroke the familiar contours of his neck, and scratch behind his ear, he turns to look at me. His eyes sparkle and the smile on his face chases away any traces of anxiety I may have.

Other times, if I have nodded off, I will awaken to the presence of my cat, napping beside me in the chair, her warmth radiating well-being. Careful not to disturb her sleep, I will gently pet her and I'm rewarded with a contented, thrumming purr.

We have creature comforts and I believe God gave them to us as a reminder of how to relax -- to help us get through the "every day pressures" and life's tougher times. My dog and cat are my comfort zone and I thank the Lord for giving me such splendid creature comforts.

© copyright Tucker's hooman 2010