A Friend in a Cold, Dark World

 
Since fire was first harnessed eons past, humans have huddled around it for warmth, used it to cook food, made it into torches for light, even fashioned it into weapons. Immensely powerful, fire has the capacity to wreak great destruction. In its tiniest form, however, it can be soothing, inspirational, romantic.

The flame of a lone candle is like the presence of an old friend - inviting and affable, warm and agreeable. What woman hasn't been wooed over dinner, her beauty adorned by the glow of a pair of tapered candles?

There's an intangible quality about the amber light of a candle that brings tranquility as it chases away the foreboding of darkness's uncertainty. I find a nearby candle's flame to be inspiring as I write, locked away in the solitude of my mind. Unlike people, the glowing inchling provides a sense of company without disturbing me with annoying demands or petty distractions. It only asks that I touch fire to its wick now and then, a small price to pay.




The brain's olfactory bulb is able to associate memories with scents in a way sight, sound, touch, and taste cannot. When I need to delve into a long-forgotten memory, the fragrance of a particular candle magically whisks me back to any time I wish.

During a cold and rainy winter, a scented candle can light an otherwise dim world in a way few things can.
  

Message from a Departed Pet

I put my eighteen-year-old dog to sleep today. You undoubtedly know how that is and what frame of mind the events of this morning have left me in.

Not long after the deed was done, I cleared my head the way I usually do when it gets clogged with life - not with a fifth of whiskey, no, those days are long over. Instead, I walked for two hours along my favorite lonely railroad tracks; the solitude does me wonders. When I returned, I found a note on my office desk. I'll share it with you here:


Thank You
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all you did for me during my time with you, and how much I love you all.

The life I left today cannot compare to the wonder and beauty of this amazing place! There are many, many others like me, some I know, but most I do not. Heidi is here, and she looks young and beautiful, even better than I remember her; there are cats I used to know, a pretty brown horse you once had, and one like me who you knew as Samson; they all say hello. Everyone is so young and healthy and happy. The air is clean, the food is great, it’s very peaceful and pretty, and best of all, I don’t hurt anymore. No pain at all! I can walk and run and have more energy than I had for a very long time.

I don’t know why, but I’ve only seen one here who is like you; he is sending this message for me. I don’t see any others, only dogs and cats and other furry ones and those not so furry. The one who sends this letter is one I know you know – I’ve heard you speak of him, and he was the first to greet me.

I don’t know when I’ll see you again – the one like you hasn’t told me that yet – but know that everything here is incredible, there is so much to do, and I have an eternity to do it in. Please don’t ever feel bad for me. I know you did everything you were able to, and that you would have done more for me if you could have. Today was my time to leave that world and come to this one, the time appointed by the one like you.

Though I didn’t talk the way you do, I understood all of your words, even when you didn’t know I was listening. And when you got frustrated with me because I couldn't walk very well and whined a lot, I know you didn't mean it. The ones you call Matty, Sadie, Crosby, Dakota – they understand, too. And they love you without measure or limits or conditions, just as I do.

I must go now. Heidi has some new friends, and they want to explore a fascinating new place they found.

Until we meet again,
Your buddy, Jasmine





Jasmine
June, 1991 - November 12, 2009