June 24, 2012

Parker's Memorial - One Month


Note from the 'rents...
My better half thought that we needed a memorial for Parker to sit next to the one that we have for Payton. I am a lucky woman to have such a sweet and thoughtful husband. Now we can look out our window and think of both of much-loved, much missed girls.
I found a poem that did a good job on saying how I felt the day we lost Parker.
It was a month ago today. The pain is still sharp and deep. But there are smiles in some memories of her. Parker Pie was such a great kitty.

The Greatest Gift



I always knew this time would come,

From the very instant our eyes first met.

How I loved you then! How I love you now!

I made a promise then, and I will keep that promise now...

You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal;

You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.



It is for me alone to make this decision,

The price for the bright joy and pure laughter

You brought me during the time we shared.

I am the only one who can decide when it is time.

When my hope dies, and my fear rides high,

Just when I need you most, I must let you go.



It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready

For without your guidance, I will not know

When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger

My sorrow and my selfish heart aside

and give you this last gift, this greatest gift.

You eyes will speak to mine and I will know.



The pain of this moment is excruciating.  

Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow. 

And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.

For you have spoken and I have listened, 

and unlike other decisions I have made

This one brings no relief...no comfort...no peace.



For if there's one thing you've taught me

If there's only one thing I've learned....

Unconditional love has a condition after all,

I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me

I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone

And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.



Go easily now, go quickly now,

Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.

Go find your strength, go find your youth

Go find the ones who have gone before you

You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar

Rest easy now; your pain will soon be gone.



I pray I will find comfort in my memories...

in the dark and lonely days ahead.

I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry.

For only my tears can heal my broken heart.

But I promise you this; as long as I live, 

You will live, alive in my mind, forever in my heart.



So I give you this last gift, all I have left to give,

And this will be my greatest gift...sending you away.

It is the measure of my unconditional love....

For only the greatest love can say

"Goodbye, go find the bridge, we'll meet again,

Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."



By Karla Bertram

11/23/96

52 comments:

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

That is a beautiful and moving poem. What a wonderful tribute to Parker!

The Misadventures Of Me said...

And Im still leaking - please know that I feel your sorrow and cry with you too.

Mom Laure

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

How touching and very lovely. Thinking of you.

Dma said...

I love the poem. Having a service for Parker is a neat idea. Thinking of all u in oHIo.

P.s. theo's new favorite toy is the carrot we won from u... Don't know why the sudden interest but I like to think it 's his way of honoring Parker...

Brian's Home Blog said...

That sure is a beautify tribute to your lovely Parker. We think of her so very often and we send you many hugs.

Sweet Purrfections said...

That is such a beautiful poem. It's only been a little over a year since losing Sweet Praline, but the memories, love, and pain are still there. My thoughts are with you!

Mom Paula

Hannah and Lucy said...

What a lovely poem - the words are a lovely tribute to your pretty Parker.
One day in the future you will be able to think of her without tears but as we all know it takes lots of time. Take care.
Hannah and Lucy's Mum Sue

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Oh my, we are ALL leaky-eyed here. The poem was so touching, and we especially love the memorial site!

Daisy said...

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful poem.

Marg said...

Now that is one terrific poem. And oh so very true. Love the memorial for Parker. What a good idea. Big hugs to ya. Take care.

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Beautiful. We are sending ((hugs)) and headbumpies your way.

Jans Funny Farm said...

We're glad you took Payton's memorial with you when you moved. It would have held no sentimental value to the new owner of the property. It seems fitting Payton and Parker's memorials sit where you can see them from your window.

The Island Cats said...

Mom says that poem says it all. It's beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to Parker. Purrs....

JC said...

Thinking of you !!!

JC and The Purr and Fur Gang

Katie Isabella said...

A beautiful memorial poem and one that honors all of our angels who have flown away. My baby has been gone half a year and the pain is still fresh and the tears are flowing ow for you and for myself. Beautiful poem.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

We love that poem and it is so perfect for dear well missed Parker. What a lovely lovely memorial to her and Payton.

smoochies
xoxoxox
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥

Mariodacat said...

Leaky eyes here - what a beautiful poem, and so very true. Parker was one of my first blogging friends after meeting on Twitter. She was so beautiful, and I remember how I thought she was a he for so very long. She must have had a few good laughs over that one., He he it still makes us laugh. We hope each day your pain becomes less and your wonderful memories overtake the last few days of sadness. Hugs.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is a beautiful poem, and a lovely memorial to Parker. (((hugs))) to you all.

wildcatwoods said...

Just a loving poem. We all know the heartache you feel right now and share it with you. In time the pain lessens and the smiles come more often with each sweet memeory of your Parker.

cats of wildcat woods

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Oh that is very special. Purrs to you as you remember your very special Parker.

Unknown said...

very inspiring poems and I was really amazed when I saw those white and red cats :D


Dog Shock Collar | Puppy & Human Bond

KitKat said...

What a beautiful tribute to Parker Pie. Mommy got choked up. So sweet.
Hugs and smoochies,
Angel Normie, Mika, Sasha & Grady

The Florida Furkids said...

That poem really expresses the emotion we feel when one of us leaves for the Bridge. Mom says she thinks of Sniffie all the time, but the memories bring smiles through the tears. We know it will be like that for you too.

(((Hugs)))
The Florida Furkids and Lexi

Anonymous said...

Colehaus Cats said...
Beautiful memorial. Beautiful poem. Purrs and pawhugs and good thoughts your way.

Seth, Maxx, Newton, Tessa & Pia Bean

Samantha & Mom said...

What a beautiful poem and lovely Tribute to Parker!! Lots of hugs and kitty kisses to you all!
Your TX furiends,

Laura and Taffeta Rose said...

The poem says it all. Soft purrs to all of you.

Laura & Taffy

Cory said...

Lovely poem. ::bows head in honor of Parker::

purrrs to you,

Cory

Barb said...

Lovely poem. I especially love the kitty statues around the base of the tree! Your hubby is indeed quite sweet.

Poppy Q said...

How very true that poem is. We sure miss Sweet Miss P, and are thankful that you shared her with us for all of those years.

Smooches
julie and poppy Q
xxx

Sparkle said...

That was a hard poem for my human to read. She still aches about the cat before me... over 10 years later.

Forever Foster said...

What a lovely poem. We're no good with words, so we're just sending love.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

What an absolutely beautiful memorial you have to Parker Pie and Payton. You know, you can never move now. (((hugs)))

GreatGranny said...

I've been gone for awhile and didn't know the heartbreak you've endured in losing Parker. The poem is a wonderful tribute to your little sweetheart.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute - both the statue and the poem. I can't help but think Parker would approve.
God Bless,
Marian in Houston

Pip said...

I love the statue of Parker and with Payton on the other side. You have to imagine they are playing together while they wait at the bridge.
The poem made me cry, I've been there, the words sing the heart's song.
We are thinking of you, sending you healing purrs.

rainbow said...

This beautiful poem captures the essence of what we each go through when we have to let a beloved friend go. Dear Parker, what a lovely memorial and for Payton too.
We are thinking of you and send gentle purrs of consolation.

Cat Street Boyz said...

So true, when souls depart from one another, even though it is only for awhile...it is painful. They are part of us, the best part!
Continuous prayers and purrz, Holly and the Boyz

Team Tabby said...

We like the lovely poem, and the memorials for Parker and Payton.

purrs for all of you.

caspersmom said...

What a beautiful poem, it says so much and is oh so true. Casper and Parker passed three days apart of one another and I will remember Parker because of that. Parker was a beautiful girl. God Bless.

Shaggy and Scout said...

Leaky eyed.
I feel it too.
3 months for Scooby on July 1.

meowmeowmans said...

Oh, we are totally leaky eyed after reading that. What a beautiful poem, and what lovely memoraials for Parker and Payton.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Quite incredible!

It echoes something I told the vet when we let Kyrye cross -

From the moment we bring them home, we know this day is coming - but we do it anyway -

Khyra thought her tree had been invaded ;-)

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and Phyll

Anonymous said...

Sweetie Miss Parker... we miss you.

Mimi Lenox said...

What a precious post about Parker. I am so sorry to hear about it.
Hugs to you and yours.

Clarissa said...

Mommy's eyes are leaking. What a beautiful memorial for Parker Pie (and Payton Pie). We know how much Parker was loved, and still is loved.

Karen Jo said...

The memorials are lovely and the poem is perfect. May the memories grow and the pain recede, day by day.

Cathy Keisha said...

What a beautiful poem. It's come to pay my respects at the dedication of Parker's Memorial.

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

So sweet of your husband to think of that..

Tommy and Teaghan said...

How wonderful that the tree where they sit looks like the front legs/paws in the front of the tree with the back legs behind. Very symbolic.
Parker was a very real reflection of you. She is so missed and she is so loved by many. Hugs to you to warm and heal your heart.
Purrs and kisses,
Beau Beau and Angie

Anonymous said...

Very nice memorial to Parker. The poem is beautiful. Hugs and nose kisses Mumsy, Patches, Snookums, Pooh and Chancy.

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Happy almost the end of July dear friends. We have had all of you in our thoughts so often the last few months, even before Parker passed, we held you up in our prayers. We know your pain.
Now, we can only think of the memories, the fun memories and the once happy days.
Parker was a huge part of your lives, just like Caesar and Princess were in ours.
The recent memories are a big scar and it never quite heals. It is okay, that part of life we know we can cope with when we have our true friends.
Love to all of you.

Kat said...

What a beauitful tribute to dear Parker. He will always live on in our hearts forever