Shannon by Rebecca

Shannon

by Rebecca

AT 4:30 on June 3, 2003 Shannon passed away. I could not be more grateful to be there for her final breath. It was the most unforgetable moment of my life. I've been laying with her for the past 12 hrs. I never left her side. Then I knew the time was near. I opened all the windows so her spirit would pass. I picked her up, laid down on the the floor in front of the window, and laid Shannon on my chest. Her heart was to mine. She began to gasp her last breaths. Her legs shook. And then she looked me stright in the eyes and took her last breath. I comforted her the whole time. She was ready to accept my comfort. I repeatedly told her it's okay. It's time to let go. I just kept petting her. I told her to feel the wind and let it lift her spirit and take it to heaven. I wanted to give to her 20 yrs. of comfort she had given to me. It's a feeling I can't get out of my head. It was a beautiful, powerful moment. It's the ending to an unbelievable relationship between Shannon and me. She will always be in my heart. I'm so glad I could be with her. She was so scared. I feel peace now. I'm sad and feel like the life has been sucked out of me, but I know that I did everyting I could. Mom said to me, "You did good, Becki." I just held her until my husband got home. I didn't want to let go. I can still smell her and feel her soft fur. She looked so beautiful. In those last moments I just kept talking to her. I talked about how she used to always curl up with me. That's how it started. That's how it ended. Shannon and me heart to heart. It's hard to let someone you love go. It's instinct to do everything you can to keep them alive. But I knew I had to let Shannon know it was okay to die. It was the best thing I could have done for her. I know that her soul is in Heaven and her spirit continues to follow me around. I love you, Miss Kitty. Look for me at the gates of Heaven.

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