THE Journey

I recently lost one of my best friends, a friend who loved freely, constantly, and unconditionally. He was a dog named Journey. But he was so much more. As I've reflected, I've realized that "Journey" was the perfect name for this fella, because his life truly has been a metaphor for life itself.

You see, a journey isn't just a trip or distraction. It's the purposeful unfolding of who we are meant to become. Journey travelled through many places and experienced numerous changes to finally become my companion and inspiration.

The Journey I share with you wasn't originally mine but one I adopted along the way. This Journey began as my granddaughter's adventure...

one I inherited because of life's demands and the slowing of age. I wouldn't have chosen it at first, but now, I wouldn't trade it for anything because I would have missed the most faithful friend and teacher I've ever known.

Through my pal Journey, I relearned what it means to live fully - each day, each hour, each moment...to be present on purpose. In caring for him, I rediscovered the privilege of nurturing life so fragile....and the heartbreak of life's brevity.

For some reason, these are lessons we seem to have to learn over and over.

Journey made the most of every day. Without knowing Hebrew or philosophy, he knew instinctively knew the power of the present moment. We humans get caught up in so may demands - business, politics, finances - and forget our need for quiet reflection and "feel good" moments. Too often, we focus on the urgent and miss the truly important.

But Journey - he was always constant. He always showed up. If he sensed I was feeling needy, he'd nuzzle my leg or lean against me or herd me gently in another direction.

Journey was an amazingly handsome, blue-eyed Australian Shepherd.

If I worked too long outside, he'd come herd me toward the house, urging me to tend the important.

He loved naps, but he LIVED for mealtime. I cooked for him because of his skin condition. He would literally dance and prance around the kitchen in gleeful anticipation when I started cooking.

Journey had suffered chronic skin conditions from a pup. By the time he came to me, his hips and spine were failing. He never complained. When pain struck, he'd quietly retreat to his bed in our room or take his place on his throne bed in the big picture window in the living room, watching over his little kingdom and waiting for his real family to return for him. He loved so fiercely and just couldn't understand. He never gave up watching. He never gave up hope.

Small favors - a massage, a bit of pain ointment, a comb over itchy skin - were met with a lick on the hand or his head nestled in my lap. He was thankful, but I was the one privileged to care for him - to witness such pure, gentle gratitude.

As with all journeys, ours had twists and turns. Some days were long, especially when pain kept him pacing through the night or when thunderstorms filled him with terror.

Them came the inevitable: heavy cataracts, muffled hearing, failing hind legs. Oh God, how I struggled with guilt. Journey lived life on purpose. He loved unconditionally, protected unquestionably, and rejoiced freely.

When the time came, I made the hardest decision ever - to end his suffering. I still wonder if I made the right decision and I beg his forgiveness if I didn't.

But I cherish the lessons he gave me.

Through Journey, I regained the determination to push through and dream for the impossible. His humor and spirit inspired my little cottage business - Between the Wildflowers & the Weeds. He loved to play hind n seek out among the flowers and the grasses.

Reflecting on his life, I've reaffirmed something: Life isn't one journey - it's many. some rough, some joyous, often winding and crossing over each other. And though we try to avoid the hard ones, it's those that teach us who we are, what we believer, and how to guard out hearts.

Journey has reminded me that Life is a gift from our Creator - something to be valued, protected, cherished as we all progress through this Circle of Life.

I want to embrace every journey like my Journey - always present and on purpose.

I want to rejoice in the ability to feel - the laughter, the grief, the tears, the pain - and never give up.

Life happens even when we look away. I want to look life squarely in the eye and not miss a single minute. Because it's on by by living honestly that we truly find the Joy in the Journey.

As a tribute to journey, I wanted to capture it all - the lessons, the love, the joy, the grief, the beauty, the metaphor - a reflection on a life lived fully and on purpose. Here's the resulting poem -

he joy, “Journey’s Joy” —

Every step, a small adventure,

Every thought, a wondrous dream.

Every breath, a silent prayer—

Immersed in wildflowers and the weeds.

Playing chase on winding trails,

Splashing through the rocky streams,

Scouting out the next horizon

Among the wildflowers and the weeds.

Often pausing, lost in wonder,

Watching clouds drift, slow and free,

Chasing butterflies to heaven

Through the wildflowers and the weeds.

Turning homeward , daylight dwindling,

Skies gleaming rays of orangey pinks

Slowing now beneath the North Star,

`O’er the wildflowers and the weeds.

Evening falls in heavy blankets,

Dimming lights and silenced dreams.

Go – run free in fields of morning,

Beyond the wildflowers and the weeds.

I miss your sweet, warm morning nuzzles,

Even more, your gentle snores—

You herded me to greener pastures,

Urging me to stay the course

Finding joy in you, Journey,

I’ll not forget your faithful heart—

Loyal to the last command,

“Down!”

Beneath the wildflowers and the weeds.