The Three Who Wait
Conversations from the Bridge
Conversations from the Bridge
by Jeff Popp
Sassy was glad to be reunited with her two friends from so long before. Christy had come to the bridge many years prior, but Beth had arrived less than a year before Sassy.
"He's crying again,” Sassy said as Christy looked at her. Sassy turned to her old friend and asked, "Why has his sadness returned?"
A long pause followed as Sassy warmed herself on the brightly lit grass. It was so wonderful to have the pain gone from her body, and to be able to run and play as she had when she was young. She knew seventeen years was a very long life for any dog, and she relished the lengthy time that God allowed her to spend with her master, Jeff. Sassy was very happy that Jeff had been able to know her end was coming, and for those last three months they were able to share to the fullest.
"I miss him,” she said at last.
Beth raised her head from the ground and recalled the many years she had watched Jeff's daughter, Alicia, grow to a young lady. She remembered her countless nights asleep by Alicia's side and the many rides in wagons and baby doll carriages. She also remembered the abrupt parting from Alicia, and her arrival at the bridge. Still, she regretted nothing from her fourteen years of life.
"I miss him too," said Beth, even while remembering the love of her true parent, Alicia.
Christy looked at the pair and thought of her mother, Paula. The three dogs each had a special member of that family, and all six longed for the touch of their loving companion that now lay across the gulf of eternity.
Sassy felt the tiniest twinge of a pain in her heart, and knew it was just a small reflection of what her old master was feeling.
Christy, who had always been the wisest of the trio, watched Sassy for a moment and then asked, "Are you feeling the pain?"
"Yes" Sassy answered. "Why does it come and go?"
Beth perked her ears to hear Christy's answer.
"The frequency of the pain will usually decrease with time," Christy began. "As their lives continue, our parents move on and may think of us less and less. But occasionally, something happens that will spark a memory of us. It can be a picture, finding one of our misplaced toys, visiting the place where they buried our bodies, or even a familiar smell. Then the memories return, and the pain of their loss comes flooding back."
Christy continued, "My passing was now so long ago, that my mother seldom has the pain return. She has the family to care for, and now a new dog to love. But I am not jealous. Love has no envy, or hurt. I am joyful that my mother and another dog can love each other. We will all be together soon enough.”
Here Christy paused for a moment as she thought of a special moment from long before. Sassy recalled, when she first came to the bridge, meeting Ralph, who had been Jeff's dog when he was a young man,.
Then Christy continued, "But the passing of the two of you is so fresh that Jeff and Alicia still recall you often."
Here Christy looked at Beth. "Alicia is still young. Her life is filled with school, sports, her family, and the trials of growing into an adult. She is very busy and God will bless her and use the activities of life to relieve some of her pain. But she will never forget you, so be happy that her sorrow will diminished."
Now Christy turned to Sassy. "It is different for Jeff. He is much older and has experienced many joys and sorrows in life. Today is the one-year anniversary of the day he sent you here. Life for our old family has been very rough in that time. They have had to endure the loss of his job, the loss of you, and the loss of their unborn child. He is reflecting on his life and thinking of you often, and the pain for him is terrible."
A quietness crept into Beth and Sassy. Christy noticed this and spoke very kindly to them. "We must not be sad. They will be alright. They know that the pain and sufferings of life are brief compared to eternity. They are aware that ultimately God is in control of their lives and He will comfort and care for them. In a short while the pain will be over and we will all be together again. We must wait, and trust God to help our family."
Christy spoke again to Sassy, “Your wait will be the shortest. Jeff is the oldest and so he will most likely be the first to come.”
The thought of the coming reunion brought joy to all three of the dogs, and they began to romp and play on the sunny hillside. Beth barked loudly, Christy chased her tail, and Sassy turned circles as she thought about again being held in Jeff's arms.
The three faced each other and together joyfully howled "SOON!!!"
Comments would be appreciated by the
author, Jeff Pop