March 16, 2016

Kindness




Kindness
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
~Naomi Shihab Nye~













Cooper
May 1, 2006 - March 16, 2016



20 comments:

  1. How very sad. I am so sorry.

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  2. my sweet friend, I believe there is a special place for dear pets that pass, that is the only way I can live past this kind of loss. I am so sorry for your loss, I know your heart is breaking. xo

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  3. Oh Debra, I'm so sorry. My heart is heavy for you. He looked like he was a real character. I loved the video of him walking on the treadmill!

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  4. So sorry for the loss of your dear family member.

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  5. So sorry, Debra. Sending warm hugs your way...

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  6. I cannot imagine the loss you are feeling right now. I believe as Karen does there is a special place for those pets that have been such a big part of our lives. Beau sends his love as well

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  7. Just lost my working K9 and the heartbreak of losing a dog is just a special kind of hell. I am so very, very sorry. Kipling said it best, "Brothers and sisters I bid you beware, of giving your heart to a dog to tear."

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  8. Oh Debra, I am so very sorry, I know your heart is heavy right now. Sending you a really big hug,
    xo Kathysue

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  9. Rest easy, sweet Cooper- and play forever across the Rainbow Bridge.
    I'm so sorry.

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  10. I'm so sorry to learn you have lost your dear little love. He was, undoubtedly one of the brightest, happiest things in your life, bringing laughter, comfort and serenity to you. My thoughts are with you.

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  11. My thoughts and Prayers go to you, I have a best friend he's name is
    Lancelot he is 15 going 16 I give him smooches' and hug's all the time
    It breaks my heart the sadness you're going thru take care.

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  12. My Dear Deb, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you a hug!
    Joli

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  13. Debra, I am so sorry for your lose. I love my dogs almost as much as I love my daughter. It is really hard to loose a family member. Hang in there.

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  14. Debra, I have been thinking about you and Cooper. I am so, very, very sorry for your loss. There are no words that I can offer for comfort except he was obviously loved and had a wonderful life and he knew that. That is what I tell myself about my Munchen.

    I wish I were near you so that I could give you a big hug and so that we could share tales of our little babies.

    Take care of yourself, be good to yourself

    Love and prayers to you, Elizabeth

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  15. Dear Debra, I am so very sorry for your loss of Cooper. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers....

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  16. I am so very sorry for your loss.

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  17. Everytime I read a post from someone who has lost a dog I get the biggest lump in my throat. I know that sadness so well.....so very sorry for you Debra....it just sucks.

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  18. I know your deep sadness well and offer my most sincere sympathies. I LOVE Dean Koontz's quote: “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”

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  19. My dear, I have just stumbled upon your heartbreaking news and your beautiful tribute post! So sorry for your loss! Prayers for you and yours!!!

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