they teach me love


i was sitting down writing a poem as i heard her sleeping nearby
so i stopped one poem to write the one below



sleeping dogs



i'm listening to myka
asleep on the floor
talking and whining
ever so softly
dreaming
sounds of quiet cries
and sorrow
i'd think to wake her
but damn
it's her most restful sleep






myka asleep





this is her "walk me" face



she knew when a storm was coming before it got here

 when i used to come through the door, if she were not there, i'd start tearing through the place
yelling her name till i found her, usually asleep on the bed

when my wife and myka came back through the door, after a walk
myka would run to me with excitement and kissses, as if we were apart for days
every time








this is her smile

she was weeks old when she came from the pound, and was with us for 8 years
she gave thousands of kisses in that time - to anyone & everyone - strangers too








a very very early animation with Myka - follow the arrow to see her
click here (you need to use a microsoft internet explorer to hear her)





myka(kelly) died a couple of weeks ago, 06.12.09
her ashes are n this beautiful box

i'm going to place some prayers here, as i get them
i've asked some special people for their prayers
for kelly's(myka)spirit & our transition to being without her




Dear God:

We thank you for the many blessings of life. We especially give thanks to you for Kelly.

As we mourn her passing help us to cherish the memories of her life with us. May her love for us be a reminder that we serve a God who loves us unconditionally. May her courage remind us that there is nothing out there that we cannot face because You, God, are with us. May the expressions of her joy remind us that there is so much for which we should give thanks.

Give us strength, we pray, to carry this grief in faith,knowing that she was given to us for a purpose and that our lives have been changed for the better. As she rests in Your presence help us to share the gifts with which we have been blessed with this broken world. May she always rest in peace. AMEN!


The Rev. Theodora N. Brooks
Vicar
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Longwood
06.30.09

and who would be the first to respsond - not the first who was asked, but rather
the first that didn't question. that's who you are.
the tears fell from my eyes when i read your prayer
thank you for being family to me and many others in my family







Gracious God,

Thank you for the love that is given to us from these wonderful creatures of your creation, our dogs.
They bless us with their love no matter what. Be with us as we mourn our loss, console us with your love that comes from those around us and help us to remember that in the end faith, hope and love abide and the greatest of these is love. Amen.

from all of us in the Diocese of Rochester

Rev. Cicora, the way you reaced out to me, and that prayer. it's no wonder the bishop spoke of you the way he did
bishop singh, your email warmed my heart. i loved your stories when you were vicar at my church.
you wre so incredibly warm and gracious 14 years ago, and praise God, you have not changed
about 14 years ago you told me you loved my poetry. it made me glow.







Beloved God,

we bring you our grief in the loss of Kelly and ask for courage to bear it. We bring you our thanks for Kelly who lived among us and gave us freely of her love.
Give us grace, we pray, to commit our friend and companion Kelly into your loving hands. Give us eyes to see how your love embraces all creatures and every living thing speaks to us of your love. Amen.

Rev. Cork Tarplee - The Saint Stephens, Millburn

thanks so. the lunch we had at the restaurant years ago was amazing. the intimacy and the trust
i remember almost all of the conversation, as if we had it just yesterday. thank you again







may 14th 2011, i buried their ashes under the roots of a holly bush.

to my internet friends:

when these guys were alive, i told you often: they teach me love