Graced with Her Life by Gerald Rounds

Graced with Her Life

by Gerald Rounds

Heather Saturday past was Summers last rush of life, As to say to Winter: I still have life. Let me live yet another day. And the life she lived The bright sun of a July day The warm breeze of an August morning A perfect day. But when night came, She surrendered to the inevitable cool of Fall And the cold of winter. Saturday past was her last day of life As if to say I still have life. Watch me! And for a few hours on Saturday last She showed her life In all its faded glory. She woke well that morning I took her outside to do her morning duties. She squatted as she so often did And she relieved herself. She sprang up away from where she was As she was want for so many years And she trotted gently away. This day of Summer was her day. She decided to take a walk But she could not see or hear, Yet she was all business Pretending everything was all right with her. She put her nose to the ground To sniff and discover. She raised her head and looked left and right To follow a sound she could not hear To catch a sight she could not see. She shook herself and her hair flowed in the breeze. A gentle tug on her lease would move her along. She walked like this for moments of joy, Until she finally stopped Held her ground As if to say Lets go home. She was till game. She walked slowly back to the path. She knew where to turn. She walked to the steps Her legs tired and trembling. I picked her up gently and snuggled her closely As we entered the door of our home together And her held Tears welling. I knew this was the last time I would walk her in the morning. The short day of her life was gone. She had pushed back death for just a few moments. She was a healthy young Yorkshire once again But she wasnt. I took her to her water dish And she drank gamely. She ate a little food, Turned Found a spot And lay herself down. She surrendered herself to her world of death. Bur oh but just for these few wonder-fulled moments She was her old Heather once again. Heather who woke me each morning -- But who now needs me to awaken her. Heather who walked each day And trotted and ran and enjoyed discovery But now too blind and deaf to know ever where she is. Heather who asked me for serious lap time And now lays in her bed Asleep, exhausted. Heather who liked to lick me to death And now just a tentative taste of her tongue. Heather who loved to ride in the car And now must be gently placed into her harness. The Summer day past revived me And revived her But it was all too short Too brief Too painful. I knew was doing my things with her Last walk Last serious lap time Last meal, last drink of water Heather, were almost there -- Good morning, young lady -- Hi, Heather, my little girl -- Last night Last morning Last Heather, Im so sorry I had to say Its time. Please forgive me. I only wish time could have been forever with us. You have brought me so much joy and happiness. But now it al all over you and I Except in the loving memories we have of you. Yesterday I received your ashes back. I have an imprint of your paw your death paw. All that is left of your wonderful life. I will look at your pictures and remember. We will take your ashes And bury you at your new home Our home During the long Summer days of our twilight.. February, 1999 -- October 21, 2003 We received Heather when she was about seven years old. We were her fourth owners and her last. She found a home and a life with us. And we found a life with her. I hate to come home now because she is not there to greet me. But I can only thank God for the wonderful five years we were graced with her.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Gerald Round