3 minute read

Giving Back

100+ Sun City Women Who Care raised $13,700 at its quarterly meeting in February and selected Jasper Animal Rescue Mission (JARM) as recipient of the funds. JARM rescues and provides shelter and humane care to the lost, abandoned, neglected or abused dogs and cats of Jasper County. Members who attended the presentation were Kate Crowley, Susan Frank, Cindy Phillip, Vicki Galbraith, Vicki Mack, Elaine Garcia, Rosalie Simmons, Karen Meyer, Diane McKinnery, Linda Lathrop (charity nominator), Gerry deAsla, Mary Lou Beavers, Camille Richardson and Jan Williams.

HEAVEN from page 8SC filled with a warmth I can’t explain. I wanted to know what she was like as a young girl, how her life had unfolded. I inquired about the hardships that she suffered during WWII, when she became a widow at a very young age. I probed about her struggles so I could better understand her plight.

I wanted to take the necessary time to get to know my mother, now, as a friend. Had we both been equal in age, all those many years ago, we could have had a totally different relationship. Today I viewed her as the beautiful spirit she had become instead of seeing her from a child’s perspective looking up to a maternal figure. Our time together was rich and fulfilling.

Lovingly, my father and my sweet grandmother came into my view. Both of them had such an influence in my life. My dad was so stern and harsh. He was the one that instilled my strength and determination. My grandmother was just the opposite with her soft and gentle manner.

I am aware of how I developed with so many of her traits. I remember how I often sat enjoying her description of trips around the world. Then there were the hours spent listening to her play Chopin while seated at her Steinway grand.

It was hard to move on from my family.

I continued drifting down that pathway, crossing over The Rainbow Bridge. Wagging tails and licks abundantly greeted me all at once. I fell down to my knees, with joyous tears in my eyes, as all my past pets showered me with their eternal love.

I wished I could have spent the entire day right in this special area of Heaven. There were so many to touch, from my very first dog to the last, they had all waited patiently at the bridge for this brief encounter.

Off in the distance, I saw my big fellow grazing when suddenly he became alert. Upon spotting me, he trotted to my side. I mounted my thoroughbred and we galloped through the valley while once again I felt his power beneath my seat. The strength of his movement exploded as we sprinted through the clouds. But the hands of the clock were ticking by and, sadly, I needed to leave.

Next, I was able to spend hours with many dear and valued friends. I grew up with most from my childhood until their end. I took time to drink in all their happiness and joy. It was a day to reminisce, a day to share our happier times.

We were kids again, laughing and reflecting on stories that we each held dear. It was a time to indulge in my love for them – an instant to refill my emotional cup before moving forward.

As I came to the end of the path, I knew my time was short. Stacked below a vivid pink cherry tree sat an assortment of lovely boxes. Ribbons and bows adorned each gorgeous cube while calling out my name.

Carefully I opened each treasure, but too soon I realized they were boxes of pain, for all those I had lost. Within reach, pink petals had fallen on a nearby trunk. I brushed the buds aside while lifting the domed lid. As I reached down inside, I felt a pool of dampness. On closer examination, I realized it was a gathering of all my tears. God had saved these droplets for me to discover as a remembrance of all those I had once loved.

I was granted a day in Heaven today that answered many questions and made my heart whole. I am beholden to this journey as it filled me with a new knowledge. I realized they all had such an influence on the person I am today.

If you could spend one day in Heaven, who would you want to see?

Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.

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