Lambert 

Rainbow Bridge

By Kathy Sykes

I did a thing yesterday. Who knows why I decided Wednesday June 18th was the appointed day but that little voice inside told me it was time. I quietly gathered collars from around the house of my beloved lost babies from my bedroom, my driftwood Memorial Christmas Tree stored in the garage under a white sheet and a dog supply cabinet in the mudroom. That monumentally mentally and emotionally exhausting task completed, I found a suitably sized small white paper bag with a handle and lovingly placed them in it for transport. I then placed them in my truck in the passenger seat for their last ride. Next I grabbed my keys and assured Hazel it was way too hot for her to accompany me in this mad heat midday since I did not know how far I would have to walk to my destination. I grabbed a liter water bottle and out the door I went with a newfound determination. I granted myself permission to back out at any point in time in case my heart couldn't quite come to grips with my grief. Although the heat was suffocatingly oppressive and the humidity was already drenching me I hit the road with my destination firmly in mind. The skies were stunning with puffy clouds lending a stark contrast to the Greens of Summer and Carolina Blues. Traffic permitting, I pulled onto the shoulder to one of my favorite photo stops. As I exited, I wondered if I would continue to my self-appointed duty today. Never mind, I told myself to just enjoy the ride...

​I find Summer Winds rustling through marsh grasses uncannily calming. I stayed long enough to re-gather my courage to continue,

I am very familiar with the trails lining Greenfield Lake as it's where I volunteer with NCSU's SAFE water-NC capturing Alligators to test them for the presence of PFAS or Forever Chemicals but I didn't know exactly where the newly dedicated Rainbow Bridge was located. I let my GPS lead me there (as badly as I hate to rely on it) and realized it was quite the hike in this heat as I backtracked to the parking area. Water in hand and little white bag in tow, I was secretly proud of myself for persevering. I was headed to one of my favorite stops on the lake - the fountain garden and gazebo. I had already told myself I would visit there after my mission was completed...

I managed to walk across the bridge without incident and placed my water on one of the benches on either side. I made the mistake of reading the dedication plaque before I completed my self-appointed task. I could feel it coming on. A full blown nose running, gasping and grimacing ugly cry ensued releasing a veritable Tsunami of pent up raw emotions. I couldn't see through the tears. Oh well. I really expected this to happen, didn't I? I just wasn't quite prepared for the power in the rush of the wave that washed over me stunning me into inactivity other than crying. Luckily for me, as I had anticipated, there were very few souls emboldened enough to have left the comfort of the AC to enter this boiling cauldron of heat and humidity underneath sullen skies threatening a cloudburst at any second.

Yup. That first sign was the culprit...

I wiped my eyes and nose, still sniffling and picked up my little white bag. I placed each collar lovingly on the appropriate color and clicked the locks for the last time as this will be their final resting place until we meet again. I was saddened to note that there was not a host of other offerings yet as I bid a 'See You Later My Babies' to my beloved symbols of Faith. I truly believe that we will be together again and they will all wait for me when it is my time to cross over that Bridge. For that's what good dogs (all pets) do. They wait for their people to come back to them. I did this in Loving Memory of my Diva, my Julio, my Pearlie Mae, my Rubicon and my Missy Pine. Yup I'm a hot mess today having posted this but I will be better. I was driven and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to present this heartfelt tribute to my most precious babies so close to my home. No sooner than I had completed my task, the heavens opened up and let go with a cooling and refreshing much needed rain. I trudged back to my truck finishing off my water as the raindrops intermingled with my tears. I did it. I let go. Well, a little, but I am all the better for it. Thank you!