Ostend Memorial
August 20, 1998 - May 24, 2005
Ostend was my Loyal and Loving Companion and he was also a most marvelous Guide Dog. A stunningly handsome Golden Retriever, Ostend's Charm and affection were always on display as he reached out to touch the lives of many people in our fortunate travels together. I shall always be thankful to Guide Dogs for the Blind (his school), Doreen((his puppy raiser) and most especially Ostend. I cannot properly tribute such a wondrous friend as I lost in his passing. The cancerous tumor in his heart never slowed his intellegient search for adventure, fun and affection. I do hope this will let some see a bit of Ostend as I ever try to enhance these pages in his honor!
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When the Lilac's Bloom |
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Today there is the fragrant scent of Lilacs on the air. Just over five years
ago on April 19, 2000 I said farewell to my most loyal and loving Modi. On that
day my family through Rick and Monique gave to me a Lilac bush to plant in
Modi's honor. Modi had the chance to approve of the bush before it was planted
since we had time to prepare for Modi's passing and this was time for the most
loving Farewell I could imagine. Each June near to my Birthday the Lilac offers
forth it's fragrant bouquet in full view of my Bay window into the back yard.
Each time I detect the distinctive fragrance I take time to warmly reflect upon
the great companionship shared by Modi and myself. I consider it a delightful
tribute to a more great experience than some may ever know. Such is the way of
those magnificent bonds we forge in our lives. There is of course tremendous
sadness with their passing even as there is a stronger and more marvelous
connection which will outshine the bitter sharpness of pain and grief when first
we lose beloved friends. So on April 19, the leaves of the Lilacs may begin the
budding rebirth of spring time so that in Modi's passing Anniversary, I may feel
the continued yearly power of life and the
continued potency of those many loving memories.
Now we are in the season when the normal Lilac's bloom and upon my table sits
a vase full of them lovingly cut by my Mother to ensure I could share in the
delightful reminder. As my Birthday remains a few weeks ahead, the bush from
Modi is just starting to bud flowers. His is a Miss Kim Lilac which delays long
enough to give me an annual Birthday gift from my boy. Yet amidst the scents of
the present Lilacs and the recollections of Modi comes a sharing time.
Yesterday, May 24, 2005 at 5:54 my magnificent Ostend had the last beat of his
heart while cradled in my lap. I laid in exactly the same room as I had with
Modi some five years earlier and all the pains were equally sharp. Perhaps more
so in that Ostend was a sudden and unexpected parting. Ostend had a tumor inside
of his heart and it was bleeding steadily into his system. He was valiant and
stoic to the end much like his counterpart in my Modi. While I know a myriad of
marvels with each of these boys and while Ostend and I have a legacy of
Adventure in which our unique travels shall always hold infamy for our worlds,,
this is the time in which pain and sorrowful grief must powerfully overwhelm
what will eventually become the same warm reflection I share
with the memory of Modi. I know I must honor his life and our companionship with
the strength to strive towards those times and so shall I manage. I already feel
the hope of looking forward to that time even as I know it is far too recent a
wound to my own heart for such to be readily reached. Still I take some small
comfort in knowing such will come.
Modi left me in the early precursors to springtime. When April Showers begin
the return to the Lilac's life. Ostend said farewell when that precursor of life
has surged into the bountiful flowers. They each shared such a similar and
pivotal part of my life and my love for each was never diminished by my love for
the other. That is the marvelous gift of love that requires no rationing to
share it's splendor with all those whom are valued treasures in our world. I
shall love them each continuously with the fervor which is our way together.
When the Lilac's bloom I shall be reminded of the Love which never wavered from
each of these companions. Though it is always with me and I will reflect often
upon this love, I am simple enough to appreciate the value of symbols and the
reminders of the world around me.
In respect and tribute to Ostend he shall have his own symbol. There is a place
in front of my home which has called for a planting. To this location I shall
build a small shrine with a marvelous plant as centerpiece. There is a blooming
bush known as a Bleeding Heart which in my visual days was always a delight to
me. In honor of his bleeding heart and the pain to my own heart, such shall be
my tribute to Ostend as well. It blooms a bit later than the Lilac and with this
effort I will know that when my first boy Modi has sent the Lilacs, they are a
preparation as well for the Bleeding Heart approach of Ostend. Equally poignant
will be the reminder that in the bleeding heart is a beauty and delight which
although symbolic in some ways of the pain is likewise symbolic of the beauty
which was so great as to allow such pain. This hurt will go to splendor of
recollection in which our beautiful sharing is recalled fondly and with warmth.
Each year I shall look forward to the world reminding me of my boys When the
Lilac's Bloom.
I love you both my Modi and my Ostend.
Randy
