Deep Connection
It’s been 20 years since that cold wintery day I had to let go of my Thoroughbred, Magnum. He had been my friend, my team mate and my confidant for many years but sadly he had developed severe laminitis. A condition which made it difficult for him to walk, resulting in a life-ending decision.
It was truly heartbreaking to have my vet come and euthanize my horse and I will always be grateful for his kindness and thoughtfulness in making arrangements to have the body removed while I was at work. I think seeing it would have been too painful to watch.
Later in the day I returned to the stables to remove my tack and belongings. I walked into Magnum’s stall one more time and looked out into the pasture. Sitting just outside his stall was a cat as white as pure snow. I had never seen it before and it just sat there and looked at me for a long time. It held my gaze for what seemed like an age and then it just ran away. I remember reading somewhere that white animals appear as spirit guides after a death. Perhaps it was helping him on his way.
You look in my eyes and see deep into my soul knowing I need you Copyright © 2020 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing All Rights Reserved
Kim is hosting Monday Haibun at D’Verse Poets and has prompted us as follows:
This week, I would like you to write about a time when you last watched stars, a storm, the sea, an animal, or something else in nature that left you with a sense of wonder or awe. Aim to write no more than three tight paragraphs, followed by a traditional haiku that includes reference to a season.
Image by Madison Buening from Pixabay
This was so moving/spiritaul!! Awesome post Christing – Bellissimo!!
xoxox 😘💕🌹✨
You’re so sweet Chuck, Thanks for the share ☺️💕
Always happy to read and share your posts with followers, Christine!!
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxox 😘💕🌹😉
Thanks Chuck. You too, my friend. We have a lot to be thankful for and my heart goes out to all those who are hungry and in need. To all those who have lost someone to this virus and all those suffering with pain. I am also thankful to our new government who will lead us out of this nightmare ☺️💕👍
This was really a very good story telling… a white cat you have never seen before seems like much more than a coincidence
Thank you Bjorn. Yes, that is the way I looked at it. A sign, a message. 💕☺️
I had chills reading this as well: that idea of a communication from the spirit world! I am pleased the cat offered you some comfort at a painful time.
Thanks Ingrid. You’re sweet. Yes it was a comfort as it made me stop and think and not be completely consumed by pain.
There is NO way one can read your heartfelt haibun without chills running up and down the body. I cannot believe how overwhelming and yet somehow comforting it was to see the white cat. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you Helen, you’re very kind. Yes it was comforting to the the cat. I have never seen a pure white cat before. They always seem to have blotches of color somewhere. I think I read that to see or dream of a white cat signals a time to be thankful in some cultures. Maybe my horse was thankful to be free of his pain. ☺️💕
How sad that you lost your friend, Christine. Horses are special animals. I’ve never had a close relationship with one, but I admire them very much. I love the thought that he returned to you as a cat.
Thank you so much. They are very spiritual animals Kim. When you ride horses you create a bond of trust and it is something greater than an owner/pet relationship. Plus the sheer size of the animal is daunting when you have to euthanize and remove the body. That is why I was so grateful to my horse vet for helping me with that. It would have been too traumatizing to witness. 😢
Touching indeed, animals are a part of our family too, so their demise is always distressing. I have never forgotten all my pet cats, they are still with me in spirit. Well done.
Thank you. Yes me too Francis. They never leave your heart.
A very touching haibun Christine.. and the haiku part pulled my heartstrings…
https://youtu.be/D3PfheWvgl8
Thank you Ivor. This song is a keeper, it is so beautiful and comforting. You are so kind and thoughtful 💕☺️
Seeing the white cat must have given your heart some peace. Losing a well loved pet is always very difficult.
Thanks Sadje. Loss is painful regardless of who it is 😢
So true.
I’m sure the loss still stings, Christine, and I feel for your pain even after 20 years. Loss is hard to let go of. ((hugs))
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes. When I think of all the animals I have had in my life and how each one was painful to lose, letting go of my horse was the hardest. 💕☺️