In Loving Memory of Max

In Loving Memory of Max

Max

"We 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 still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the neccesary plan."

-Irving Townsend, "The Once Again Prince"

Parted Friends

Friend after friend departs:
Who hat not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts
That finds not here an end;
Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying, none were blest.

Beyond the flight of time,
Beyond this vale of death,
There surely is some blessed clime
Where life is not a breath,
Nor life's affections transient fire,
Whose sparks fly upward to expire.

There is a world above,
Where parting is unknown;
A whole eternity of love,
Formed for the good alone;
And faith beholds the dying here
Translated to that happier sphere.

Thus star by star declines
Till all are passed away,
As morning high and higher shines,
To pure and perfect day;
Nor sink those stars in empty night;
They hide themselves in heaven's own light.

-James Montgomery

"We tell a tale in Siam about the love between the sun and the moon. Though the moon, the sun's beloved, must surrender to the night, she is always with him even when he cannot see her."

-King Mongkut, "Anna and the King"

A Note from Jess...

     The above is a favorite quote of mine from the movie "Anna and the King," starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat.  I saw this movie a few weeks after I lost Max and it helped me tremendously.  Seeing this movie was, for me, a healing experience.  The way in which it dealt with loss, its acceptance, and the growth that comes forth from it, was intelligent, respectful, and kind.  I went to the theater unaware of the deeper lessons this movie would contain.  For me, movies are about escape.  This movie allowed me to escape to a world in which the conflicting emotions inside me were given a place to rest while the inner me, the inner "spirit" connected deeply to these characters with whom I had so much in common.
     "Anna and the King" dealt with differences.  Those between the East and West cultures, religions, people, ideas, thoughts, dreams, and expression of emotions.  It was about the deep sense of value and honor which binds each human to the other.  It showed that courage and bravery bring forth rewards.  That with pain comes an expansion of experience, emotional and intellectual knowledge, and if circumstances allow, closer relationships.
     In "Anna and the King" two very different people are drawn together by a sharing of ideas.  Their discussions stimulate them both, and it is ultimately their losses which serve to both divide and unite them.  Each character is given room to grow, which they each do.  The smooth, gilded sights and sounds of this movie drew me deep inside a piece of history I knew little about.  It allowed me to feel many of my own grieving emotions for the first time through two remarkable characters with whom I shared little, but experience.  Then again, what are life and death about if not experience?  "Anna and the King" is a movie in which death and loss play a supporting role.  Yet ultimately this movie is about the sometimes exquisite pain of life, and about the courage to carry on in the face of grief.  It is this message which is best said by Anna: "Now I realize that it is not enough to merely survive...  Life is far too precious."

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

-Author Unknown

This
Rainbow Bridge Webring
site is owned by Jess.

[ Skip Prev ] [ Prev ] [ Next ] [ Skip Next ] [ Random ] [ List Sites ] [ Edit ]

Back