A Little Fable - Page 1

Some of you may have heard this before, but I'm adding a personal twist to this.....

An older woman was walking down a rudded dirt road, her gait was awkward, & she leaned heavily on her cane. Her heart was heavy as well, she was saying goodbye to her beloved husband, & to her family, & most sadly, to her faithful dogs, who had seen her through many travails.
As she traveled, her loved companions stopped, one by one along the road, & bade her farewell. Still she struggled on. Day became night, & she wasn't sure she could continue down this heartbreaking road, all alone. But yet she did continue, for there was nothing else she could do. As she labored on, silently asking God for Mercy, she became aware of another companion at her side. (continued....).                jh

(continued) In the darkness, she wasn't sure who walked beside her, but as she continued, it seemed her weariness was leaving her. Just as she began to see a tinge of light at the edge of the sky, her new companion touched her shoulder & gestured to her to lift her tired eyes & look ahead. Ahead she saw 2 gates, one of gold & mother-of-pearl, with a cascading fountain, and a little further, one of old wood, sagging on its hinges, but beyond it a verdant field, where she could see the sun rising, making the babbling brook in the distance sparkle. 
As she gazed in wonder, she realized her new companion was gone. But she knew, somehow, she must choose. (Continued).....      jh

(continued)..... This woman had always been a simple woman, had never had riches or fine things, so the golden gate was fascinating! But her heart pulled her toward the green soft grass of the second field, & with a sigh, she turned towards that gate. As she entered it, lifting the old smooth wooden gate from its resting place & then returning it after she had entered, she realized her new companion was seated on a rock by the stream & was offering her a much needed drink. As she turned towards him, she realized there were many others there, rising happily to greet her. And she felt on her hand, a cold nose & happy kisses, her heart dog, that she had lost almost 2 years before was there, happily greeting her! Her heart was peaceful & full of love. As she ran to the brook, her Kali by her side, her strength was renewed, & she saw a multicolored hue in the air, & her new friends pointed past the creek, to where she could see all those she left behind through the mist. (Continued)......     jh

(Continued) She was home, & at peace.

My friends, I have just been diagnosed with a rare, aggressive, & highly malignant form of cancer. I am going this morning to find out by CT how far it has spread, & next week I will know my prognosis. I have been cautioned against hoping for too much. Forgive me if I don't post too regularly any more, but please keep me in your hearts. You are a wonderful group of friends, & I have treasured knowing you, just in case. I'll update this when I can!
Peace out!
just sayin
jackie harris

Peace and prayers to you!
 

Woke up with a headache and bit of nausea. Thought I couldn't get the morning off to a worse start.

I just did. And my own troubles have faded to nothing.

Jackie, I feel like I've been punched in the gut. This couldn't happen to a nicer person!

I've enjoyed your posts very much over the years I've been here. I followed your posts about Kali's final struggles with a heavy heart, marveling at your bond with her and how much you cared for her. I wept with you when she finally died.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Jackie, and hope for a miracle.

Another version of the fable, which I hope is true!

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."

The man gestured and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me," he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"Sure, there should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."
 

Jackie,
I am so sorry to hear this news. You are a brave and loving woman. It is my hope you can beat these terrible odds. I am devastated at this news of yours, it just isn't fair.  My prayers and thoughts are for your recovery. 

Oh Jackie, I am so saddened to read this devastating news. Tears welled up as I read your story. Life can be so unfair sometimes. It seems like only yesterday you lost you beloved Kali, and now this... My heart aches for you. I am so sorry. I agree with SS, this couldn't have happened to a nicer person. 

I will be praying for you and your loved ones as you go through this challenging and scary trial in life. Please keep us posted on your test results and prognosis if you are up to it. Sending many hugs to you, Jackie.