The Light of Prayer

  She helped him through the worst time in his life.

It was the day he lost his wife.

The days where long, the nights where short.

He felt as if he could not go on.

He prayed to the Gods every night to spare her life.

He thought it himself she shouldn’t die so young, its not right.

The night came she could breathe no more.

They said their good byes through tears,

He watched as she took her last breath.

How could he loose the one he loved, the mother of his children to death?

As he slept a restless sleep on that eve, he felt a hole in his heart.

When he said forever to death do us part, he truly thought with all his soul that he would be the first to go.

He saw a bright and wonderful light.

It woke him so sudden, could it just be a dream?

Then at the foot of his bed was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

There she stood all dressed in white.

He could see her thought the darkness as if it where daylight.

His beloved comes to kiss him good night.

She told him he was strong and she knew because of his great love for her, he would do all right.

You need to be strong for the children; they need you more now then ever before.

He begged her to stay but with a blink of an eye she was there no more.

Everyone told him it was nothing more than a dream.

But he knew it was true, she had been at the foot of his bed.

For there on the floor where she had stood he found an old Valentine card from her that said:

Life brings us down a different path each day.

Some we cannot walk together.

Even though at times we are apart, I follow the same path with you in my soul and with my heart.

The Great light will be guiding us each and every step of the way.

Showing us the path that we once again will walk together each and everyday.

With love,

Your beloved Wife.

  Wendy Needham

 Loss of  Friend:

There was so much talent in you,

And yet you just smiled

I loved singing with you, and hearing you sing.

Then tragically your life was taken,

Now you sing with the angels..

You were so young, and your family

Loved you so much..

Your friends and family will never forget you,

But we all know that you watch over us with

Love and protection..

I feel you at times, and know that you

Are still close to my heart, and always will be.

I remember your laughter, your smile,

The way you told jokes, and so much more..

But most of all, I remember your heart,

And the kindness and love it always showed others..

May you find the same love and kindness

Up in heaven, from our Lord..

I'll always miss you

My dear sweet friend..

Linda

1991

Dedicated to Bruce  *

A friend, a confidant, and someone so special * Always..

Fly Away

Fly away like a breath that waited so long to be released.

Fly away to your place of never ending peace.

Reach for what you couldn’t reach in this life.

Reach for the heart that is yours inside.

Reach for the love that you will now find.

Peace keeps your soul for all time.

Peace helped to free the pain you had in your mind.

Fly away like an Eagle to the gates to your soul.

Fly away now you’re free.

Wendy Needham

9-2-00

For Kelly Belka

When I looked into those round little moon eyes,

I knew happiness staring back at me,

When I curled your little body into my arms,

I knew warmth embracing me,

When I listened to your purr,

I knew contentment filling me,

When I heard your little voice mewing howl,

I heard the love in your voice talking to me,

When I laid you to rest,

I let the Goddess love you as much as you loved me,

And when I prayed for your soul journey,

I knew you would always walk beside me,

When I let you go to be free,

I felt my shadow cat following me. 

Love you little Howler, may the spirit of Samhain guide you.

Autumn

Hello little black cat, stalking the
night, spider deserts feasting on Samhain night, your day
comes and the light shines bright, on your black fur
sunlight, when the cool night comes, your walk
begins, letting the wildness go, on thirteen years the goddess
bloom, of life in a cat.

Miss you little witchy cat,
Trixie but Baby by any other name. May 8, 2001

Bassett 

May 10, 2001

Oh supreme one, Your fatal beauty attracts me like the desert whirlwinds, The lotus blossoms are like tears in your eyes, Crescent moon fertile in your belly, Black cat of luxury, The sun warming lioness of the great plains.

Oh beautiful daughter of the sun, The rays follow you in the dark tombs, Your rod full of the magic of the pharos liturgy, The sliver of yellow moon captured in your gaze, Taking on the blood of all our misdeeds, Careful with the cobra your stealth amazes us all, Taking the plague of rodents out from under our civilizations, Stalking the warm night with ears so keen, Your purr is but a thrum on the heart of accord, Granting me solace from the harsh daylight, So I keep your children close to me, For they are watchers of my soul, As your spirit flows in eternal life, Your beautiful creations slip in all around us, Taking residence near our altars, And casting the gaze of the goddess onto our worship.

 Iris blossoms soon to grow where your daughter is buried, Spider eater Samhain
born, She comes again to you my beautiful queen, May you take her to your eternal home in the heavens, And walk among the rainbow clouds and rest peacefully, Hold her golden eyes in your loving memory, Peering from a black night with the moon held in her eyes, Take the dark child in your arms and treat her again as the fragile kitten, Of mystery and magic she too is an empress’s cat, Meet her there my darling Bassett and find her well within her new life, For this I pray to Ancient Egypt to accept a little black cat.

Little Ones

So much loss my little ones, Life sweeping you into my life and taking it swiftly away, For you the years have been long in my memory, Photos retrieve you from forgetfulness, But I feel you here in my room, Your last breath I prayed to the Goddess to take, Let the pain be gone and for her arms to cradle, Too hard to watch you shiver and shake, Life dwindling from your eyes as they cloud over, I see in those eyes a mirror of a world that is not mine, Yet I crawl ever closer in my own mind to the shadows you press upon, And I feel at night your weight that was so small upon my limbs and blankets, I know your love for me because we have never let go of that, A familiar feeling overwhelms me to tears when you are near, For I am happy you were able to cross and find your way back from time to time, Just to give me comfort from the Spirit realms.  

Patch we all love you so- Thanksgiving 2002.

(There have been many animals in my life, all whom I deeply care for and have felt walk with me in spirit and heart.  Some were wild and some and domestic kin, it doesn't really matter which- only that I was able to be touched by their life and energy to influence my own loving and compassion.  Pets have a way of showing you unconditional love- for which we all need time to time, and they deserve our love loyalty and respect in return for their many gifts.)

Autumn

I remember after it happened how much I dreaded my intuition,
The way people were sorry for my loss,
But really I didn't know them and had he not been my grandfather-
They wouldn't know me,
But now I don't think of him laying there,
I feel him when I am outside,
Watching the sky scanning for birds,
I feel him when I see ducks and ponds,
Watching for the fish to nibble on a hook,
I feel him when I see the shimmery splash,
Concealed life in the mirror of watery depths,
I feel him when I need him the most,
Sitting right besides me as I was a child again,
He was a tall skinny man with white greyish hair,
Not as my mother knew him as the farmer he was,
But the grandfather who loved me for me,
And taught me the value of sitting in silence,
Waiting for nature to reveal itself,
And for time to pass in cloudy days,
Where the shadow of a tree trunk could hide the fish,
The way to look at things in the cycle of seasons,
A person who didn't see this chubby kid,
But a granddaughter with red hair and quick wit,
I loved my grandpa and he loved me,
And on his tombstone as I would pass the years to come,
On my school bus drive to a dreaded day,
I would silently pay my respects for him,
Ask him to sit again by my side,
Telling me to be strong and have faith in what nature gave,
And that I wanted to be like him,
Later coming to understand his mark upon my life,
Planting trees to prevent the loss of soil to his fields,
He plowed the tiniest seeds,
And now in those rows of cornfields I see part of him,
Making the breaker to the wind,
In those towering pine trees,
I miss watching the windmill spin,
Things changed slowly on the farm,
But I still remember him,
As a child impressionable to the love,
That only he could give,
And he is still with me,
In the jumping fish that splashes,
In the jokes and laughter,
In the heart of the land,
Wishing me to see all that nature has to give,
And loving me as he always did.

Autumn

Oct 15, 2002

I see the light sparkle off your eyes in childhood laughter,

Great uncle ever close as grandfathers, 

Giving to all and sharing in your age the wisdom of youth

Jey bird you give me faith in my family,

To you I was Winter's Fun, to me I was Autumn's Joy,

The slight play you offer a family torn a needle and thread,

And I look to you in distance of a yearly gathering and great heartstrings are pulled.

I will miss you, as I have grown to maturity and you have fallen to the earth.

Grandmother's brother,

You watched after a family in hardship,

But you let your heart grow,

The family pulled together by your embrace,

And laughter played in your thoughts,

I have drifted away,

But remember all that you were and are,

I give my heart to you as you lie down to greet the great mother,

Let soul fly as high as the stars,

For you have loved and given true,

A man of youth and wisdom,

Like salmon you inspire this simple child as you leap,

The snipe hunt is over and you are now able to shed the pain,

Sleep and be merry, 

Yule tide cheer be yours alone,

From your dear Winter's Fun

~ all my love.

I loved you Uncle Jack, and may
all the blessings of this world be with you always
and we meet again as you are a kind soul. Love,
Winter's Fun 
Dec 1, 2000

Hearts Unite-

In Memory of Jane Jeys

By Autumn J. Laird

January 10, 2002

Heart enough for the both of us,

Ten long years I laughed,

With only but half a heart,

It was big enough to share,

When joy resided there,

And when I left this plane-

I continued on with my love,

Embracing you with warmth,

Never fading or growing old,

Carrying on for the both of us.

Now you have come to the light,

But two years later,

With your cheerful spirit,

Completing the circle of love,

United again past all pain,

Dancing with unhindered grace,

Watching over the children,

The family has certainly grown.

Yet when your brightness fled,

We let tears fall in sorrow,

Understanding you are with him,

And now it doesn’t matter,

The hospitals are behind you,

In the letters you live on.

I am sure you listen to our chatter,

Talking away in our ears,

And from behind I hear laughter again,

Twinkling with joyous abandon,

Half a heart made whole,

It is enough when you share,

And there is love for all there,

Jack and Jane forever….

My candles burn on-

For the light you have shared-

Glows warm in each memories embrace,

Healing heart and soul,

Remembered now and forever-

Together.

In Memory of Jane Jeys-

Passed January 2003

Be now and forever with Jack,

Passed December 2000

In death united.

A woman of hardship

Censored from her God

For the love he taught

Thrown to her child of innocent

Scarlet love cast away survivor

To finally claim your child and your life

Price too high for such endearments

But yet the choice remained constant

You would find your sacraments

Given by the man of your unyielding love

In his life and in his death

The scandal never subsided 

Even cancerous pain could not conceal

The woman of giving

She was excepted like her orphan son

To those nearest to her

Children of great nieces and nephews

Ever finding her touching notes of encouragement

We who knew so little never cared

But for one thing ~ the love that she spread 

Like the hand of a grandmother.

For my Aunt Loretta

Autumn Laird

Jan 14, 2001