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As I
arrived at the Bridge, I faced all the
animals that had gone there before me.
Before each of us go to the Bridge, we
live our lives like the squares of a
quilt, mirrored in the eyes of the
animals awaiting us. An animal Angel
sits before each of us sewing our quilt
squares together in a tapestry that is
our life. But as my animal Angel took
each piece of cloth off the pile, I
noticed how ragged and empty each of my
squares was.
They were filled with giant holes. Each
square was labeled with a part of my
life as a rescuer that had been
difficult, the challenges I was faced
with in my quest to save lives and the
times I had been tempted to take the
easy way out and avoid the controversy
rather than speak for the animals that
could not speak for themselves.
I saw hardships that I had endured for
the sake of the animals, which were the
largest holes of all. I glanced around
me. Nobody else had such squares. Other
than a tiny hole here and there, the
other tapestries were filled with rich
color and the bright hues of worldly
fortune. I gazed upon my own life and
was disheartened. My animal Angel was
sewing the ragged pieces of cloth
together, threadbare and empty, like
binding air.
Finally, the time came when each life
was to be displayed, held up to the
light, the scrutiny of truth. The others
rose, each in turn, holding up their
tapestries. So filled their lives had
been with the riches of the Earth. My
animal Angel looked upon me, and nodded
for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the
ground in shame. I hadn't had all the
earthly fortunes. I had love in my life,
and laughter and the sweet kisses of the
precious animals that Honored my life
with their presence. But there had also
been the trials of illness, and death,
and false accusations that took me from
their world, as I knew it. I had to
start over many times. I often struggled
with the temptation to quit, only to
somehow muster the strength to pick up
and begin again. I spent many nights
crying and praying that somehow the
strength would come to go on, asking for
help and guidance as I tried to help the
Helpless. I had often been held up to
ridicule, which I endured painfully,
each time enduring it for the sake of
the animals who looked at me with trust
and love in their eyes.
And now, I had to face the truth. My
life was what it was, and I had to
accept it for what it was. I rose and
slowly lifted the combined Squares of my
life to the light. An awe-filled gasp
filled the air. I gazed around at the
animals gathered there, who stared at me
with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the
tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes, creating
an image of an animal that had depended
on me. All the animals at the Bridge
stood before me, with warmth and love in
their eyes. They said, "Every time you
gave over your life to help us, it gave
us life. Each point of light in your
life is when you stepped aside and let
us shine through, until there was more
of us than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and
worn, allowing the animals to shine
through.
-Author Unknown
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