Welcome to Zeke's Rainbow Residency

Memories of Zeke

How can I forget, that beautiful day in September of 1998, Auntie Carol and I sitting in the cutest little diner having lunch. I picked up a newspaper lying on a chair. You jumped right out at me, "Chocolate lab pup for sale call this # located in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina." Oh your aunt, "Barb you already have two labs, Joe is going to kill you if you bring home a third." Well, I have never been one to take advice when it came to Joe and my labs so, off Carol and I were in search of what soon to be the best decision of my life. Not realizing we were about to climb Pilot mountain in search of the puppy, off we were on a three hour trip through very steep and winding roads to locate this mysterious little guy. It was getting late, would we reach him before night fall? Who cares, Carol and I were determined to locate this little guy and left the option of trying again the next day out of the question. I do not how we did it, but Carol and I reached the house we had been searching for only to learn that we had to now walk an additional two miles to the farm where the puppy was located. Four hours into our quest, the search had finally ended. There he was. My search was over. Lying in front of me was the cutest little chocolate lab I had ever laid eyes on. As I bent down to greet him, off he was into my arms staring right into my eyes with his beautiful yellow puppy tear drop eyes. Zeke (a name given by his daddy), soon became one of the greatest swimmers, divers, fetchers, son and sleeping buddy. Zeke, along with his sister Lexi and his brother Magnum traveled the country living in many states from North Carolina to Florida. They were by far the closest siblings I have ever seen. Where there was one, the other two were close by. Our lives were 100% complete. Our family was complete. Three beautiful labs, we could not want for more. July of 2008, my husband and I decided to take a two week vacation that would prove to change our lives forever. Upon completing the trip of a lifetime, we were very excited to return home to see our babies. Upon returning home we were so glad to be with our kids we stayed up with them most the night as Zeke would not leave my side. This night soon became the final night that Joe and I would ever have Magnum, Lexi and Zeke together with us as one . As hidden danger was brewing inside of Zeke, my baby was dangerously ill but of course he hid it well from me. It was the last night I shall ever sleep with my loving Zeke again. The following morning on August 1, 2008, Zeke was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of fatigue and vomiting. X-Rays showed Zeke was suffering with intestinal blockage and filled with toxins from trash he had gotten into and ate. My darling baby needed emergency surgery to save his life as he was slowly dying. On August 1, 2008, Zeke underwent surgery for 4 hours. Upon recovering, Joe and I stayed by his side praying and begging the lord to bring Zeke through his critical hours. I was confident our prayers across the nation from our families and friends would bless Zeke and bring him home to me. On August 2, 2008, Zeke could no longer fight the biggest battle of his life and went to the lord to serve his next mission. Joe and I were informed during the night that Zeke passed away on August 2, 2008 at 2:00am. Our journey together according to the lord was complete. And my sweet angel on to a new mission to serve the lord. And me, on to a new mission without my Zeke. Life without my Zeke. A letter from Heaven To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say. But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through. God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you." "It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on. I need you here so badly, you are part of my plan. There is so much that we can do, to help our mortal man." God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you.... in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years. Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; But together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too; That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and pain; Then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain. And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile. Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile." So if you meet somebody who is sad and low; Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free. Remember you're not going.... you're coming here with me. Author Unknown March 1, 2010 My Dearest Zeke and Magnum, I see you have been left a beautiful Easter Lilly, Holly, a bone, football, water toy and more. So many wonderful friends have come to visit you since you have gone to the bridge and left you the most beautiful gifts. Make sure to say thank you and remember mommy and daddy love you both more than you will ever know. Make sure to continue to watch over mommy, daddy, Gracie, Lexi and Brandi. We love you sweet angels forever and await to see you again. Say hello to Grandma Emily and keep her by your side always and forever. May God Bless Zeke, Magnum, Grandpa Rudy, Grandpa Joe and Grandma Emily. March 3, 2010 My Dearest Zeke and Magnum, Not to mention your markers my beloved angels, mommy and daddy also have things going on that I know you know about. Stay close to mommy and daddy as these next couple weeks come up and roll by. I love you my dear angels.....mommy and daddy xoxoxoxo You both are so beautiful to me....I Love you!! ps. keep auntie ro tucked under your wings tightly.. March 6, 2010 I remember!!! How you got your beautiful name Azekeo Prince!! The way you looked at me with those beautiful yellow eyes. The way we slept together face to face on the pillow. Your velvety soft fur that made me melt each time I stroked you. Your smell, the best scent one could want to cuddle with. The way you lifted your ears and looked at me with something on your mind. The way you followed me on our walks without a leash, you never left my side. How you coaxed me into staying home from work...just to be with you. How we layed neck and neck and arms and paws all night long. How you swam like a professional in the water...you swam so hard and strong you pulled me from one end of the pool to the other. Your beautiful dives...you could fly in the air and always made a perfect landing. The perfect splash each time. How you could dive and jump and catch your ball right before you hit the pool. How momma and daddy put the pool in just for you, magnum and lexi. How I would go under water just to watch your paws paddle....you were so cute. I shall write more later my love....I Love You Forever Angel....Momma March 8, 2010 Dear Zeke and Magnum, This very important day has come for momma and daddy. Watch out for us closely as we have waited for this day to come for such a long time. Please watch out closely with your loving wings wrapped around us and give us all of your heart and soul that you can. You will be in the back of our minds all day long as you remain close by us and keep us strong. We love you our little angels...mommy and daddy xoxoxoxox Stay close by and don't ever let go tomorrow. We shall follow your guide our loves....We love you so much!!! Momma gives you both a rose to show her never ending love for you both.... April 4, 2010 My Dearest Angels, Mommy and Daddy love you so much and miss you deeply during this holiday and spring season. Lord knows how much we love you and cry for your closeness. We love you sweet angels and await to be with you again and again and again. May God bless you Zeke and Magnum. Mommy, Daddy, Lexi, Gracie and Brandi.....xoxoxoxooxoxox May 3, 2010 Well my love, another birthday without you, how sad I am. I remember all of my birthdays in which I would receive presents and tons of love from you. This birthday you will be in my heart as you are every day. I love you my Azekeo Prince. With Zillions of love to you my gorgeous babies, Magnum and Zeke. xoxoxoxoxoxox June 25, 2010 My Love's, another month has come and gone and I miss you so very much. The pool is open but noone to play ball with and watch do their famous splash dives. No puppies to swim with or watch swim. I love you my angel's. I miss you so much it hurts. Watch closely over daddy and I as we have difficult challenge's we are facing and need your support and guidance. Stay close to my friend's my loving angels, and help them through this difficult time. I miss you and love you...momma, daddy, lexi, gracie and brandi. July 20, 2010 Well my darling angel we are almost there, 2 years at the bridge. As each day grows closer momma cries for your love. I know, I should be further along in my grief but I shall cry the rest of my life for you my love. Noone could ever know the love I have for you and it shall remain all the days of my life and more. Please keep momma safe when she is driving and crying for you. Keep our family safe when we are caught up in our grief for you and Magnum. I love you Zeke. I love you and Magnum forever and ever. I hope you saw the guiding light daddy and I lit for you and Magnum at our special place. May the candle shine as bright as you both are. We love you Zeke and Magnum as I write this at 7:47 (our special number) Thank you my darlings for the sign....I see it..I love you both so very very much....mommy July 30, 2010 I Love you baby!! In three more days it will be 2 years that you left me. It hurts so bad to know you have been gone so long and my pain...it feels the same. I love you and miss you terribly. I love you so so much. May the day come that I see you again. I love you sweet Zekearoni. I love you....I wish these markers would go away. mommy August 12, 2010 Today Zeke, you and Magnum were joined together with your sister Lexi. I know all three of you had a glorious reunion. We love you and miss you Lexi, our tears are too much to continue to write tonight. We Love You Guys...mommy,daddy, gracie and brandi August 18, 2010 As the days pass by, I miss you more and more Lexi. The house is quiet and I am looking for you, but you are not here. I miss you so much it hurts so bad. I know you are happy and healthy at the bridge but it does not make it any easier on me lately. Go run, play with Zeke and Magnum and make sure all three of you watch over us very closely as we can not do it without you. It hurts to know you are with Chris waiting to be cremated, I want you back with me soooo bad. I await for Thursday to come when I can have your ashes in my arms and placed in our bedroom with Zeke and Magnum. We love you so much Lexi and miss you like no other....mommy,daddy,brandi and gracie. August 20, 2010 Lexi, today we brought your ashes home and they will be displayed on your memorial. We miss you soooo much sweetheart my heart aches for you. Auntie Carole was able to crop your picture so I was able to place a sweet picture of you in Zeke's residency. After we leave your memorial up for some time I will place your ashes in our bedroom next to Zeke's and Magnum's, next to their final resting place, where all three of you shall remain forever. We Love You Lexi Queen...mommy,daddy,gracie and brandi...xoxoxoxox Tribute to Magnum, Lexi and Zeke... I'll sing it one last time for you Then we really have to go You've been the only thing that's right In all I've done And I can barely look at you But every single time I do I know we'll make it anywhere Away from here Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you cannot hear my voice I'll be right beside you dear Louder louder And we'll Run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say To think I might not see those eyes Makes it so hard not to cry And as we say our long goodbye I nearly do Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you cannot hear my voice I'll be right beside you dear Louder louder And we'll run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say Slower slower We don't have time for that All I want is to find an easier way To get out of our little heads Have heart my dear We're bound to be afraid Even if it's just for a few days Making up for all this mess Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you cannot hear my voice I'll be right beside you dear Leona Lewis - Run http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CucxvWqm7Uk November 27, 2010 Dearest Magnum, Lexi and Zeke, Today daddy and I put up Christmas decorations and it still is not the same without you. We love you and miss you very much. Many loving thank you's to the joy and love you three brought us. I love you and miss you so much. Words can not explain the love we have for you...we love you three and miss you so much...Love, Momma and Daddy xoxoxoxox 2/4/2011 A tribute to Magnum, Lexi and Zeke... Even Now when there's someone else who cares when there's someone home who's waiting just for me even now I think about you as I'm climbing up the stairs and I wonder what to do so she won't see that even now when I know it wasn't right and I found a better life than what we had even now I wakeup crying in the middle of the night and I can't believe it still could hurt so bad CHORUS: even now when I have come so far I wonder where you are I wonder why it's still so hard without you even now when I come shining through I swear I think of you and how I wish you knew even now even now when I never hear your name and the world has changed so much since you've been gone even now I still remember and the feeling's still the same and this pain inside of me goes on and on even now even now when I have come so far I wonder where you are I wonder why it's still so hard without you even now when I come shining through I swear I think of you and God I wish you knew some how Even now Barry Manilow ~ Even Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6MpKd_BUBM November 26, 2011 When Tomorrow Starts Without Me When tomorrow starts without me And I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn't cry The way you did today; While thinking of the many things We didn't get to say. I know how much you love me As much as I love you; And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too. But when tomorrow starts without me Please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name And took me by the hand. She said my place was ready In heaven far above; And that I'd have to leave behind, All those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye; For all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, So much yet to do; It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad; I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday Just even for awhile, I'd say goodbye and kiss you And maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized That this could never be; For emptiness and memories Would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow; I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates I felt so much at home; When God looked down and smiled at me From His great golden throne. He said, "This is eternity And all I've promised you; Today your life on earth is past, But here it all starts anew." "I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last; And since each day's the same day, There's no longing for the past." "But you have been so faithful, So trusting and so true; Though at times you did do things, You knew you shouldn't do." "But you have been forgiven And now at last you're free; So won't you take my hand And share my life with me?" So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

Photograph Album
(Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo)

Zeke's People Parent(s), Barb and Joe, would appreciate knowing you have visited their Baby's Residency. Click here to Email Barb and Joe a message, or to send a sympathy card click here. Email this page to a friend. Give a gift renewal of Zeke's residency.

Share

What is This?

This site was inspired by and is dedicated to FiFi

Visit the Human side of Rainbows Bridge - BelovedHearts.com