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during the night, last night,  i woke and lie there,  looking out the window at the stars.  At first,  i was just awake and looking at stars.  That's all,  and it was just that.  No more.  But then,  i woke more and remembered things,  how Cinderella was out there,  how those uninvited buck Goats were out there,  how i was conflicted about Christmas and children.   and Mind said

"remember the lessons of the Fire.  remember the lessons of the Gridley Fairgrounds"

and i also thought of Gratitude.  And remembered that woman and her book,  that Oprah loved,  i don't remember her name,  but that whole thing about Gratitude that was so "in" ….a gratitude journal,  i remember?????  I hadn't read it.  But i knew there was something about consciously listing things to be grateful for,  i think?  So i began.  I began from back to when i was there,  sleeping in the car with Tay.  How it started to rain.  How i got 

home

where i could cook.

and i got caught up to now,  how i'd been gifted the stenographers notebooks.  How in one,  i will begin,  December 31,  to record the Important Things of the just going.  Already,  i was sleepy again.  

Today,  after much much phone calling and texting,  Alyssia was given the name of a new Vet nearby.  From someone in a nearby county…saying…Maybe,  try calling.  At 3:30 she arrived.  A young woman,  30's,  setting out on her own…Mobile Vet. She felt good.  I talked to her first,  then she and Alyssia went in to the Doe House where Cinderella is lying,  unable to stand,  but still breathing.  I stayed inside with Emrie.   But according to Alyssia,  she was thorough.  Checked everything to see if there might be things to do still.  And no….so gently and kindly administered her death.  Sat.  She and Alyssia for some time after all was done.  Quiet.  Talking.  Puppy came in,  who has a raw spot on her hip and the Vet looked at that,  gave suggestions,  said not to worry.  

How great.  So many 4 leggeds.  Things happen.  And with the intention of breeding,  things that CAN happen.  I'd  felt adrift.  There is a lot you can do yourself but there are some things you cannot.  We have her now.  She looked long at the rest of the Goats,  took time.  Listened.  Said she is always accessible by email for questions of any kind.  Gratitude….BIG.  We buried Cinderella down in the Doe Forest by the meditation chair swing.  I sang her the dying song.  In the next couple days we will create a marker for her place there.  The doe Goats attended but without grief.  Goats simply just go.  I learn from them.

Jenny talked to the Animal Control people who said,  give it a little time and if nothing,  they will come for the Visitor Bucks and do what they can to find their people and if not, rehome them.  ok.

I'd gotten a bottle of wine a few days ago.  Left it in the car.  Tonight,  after all was said and done,  Tay and i walked down there in the dark to get it.  Was DARK.  On the way back,  coming up through  B,  we passed the cloth pinned to the line.  Wind had whipped it into a fold and when i undid that,  i saw what looked like a Y.  Y for yes.    Yes for just going.  for gratitude.  For what all it is.  Which is really,  enough and good.  and ok.

 

 

 

 

 

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31 responses to “yes”

  1. Mo Crow Avatar

    namaste (((Grace))) fly free Cinderella

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  2. jaime Avatar
    jaime

    Cinderella was blessed to have been in your life. You were blessed to be in hers. I am sorry for your loss.

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  3. joanne Avatar
    joanne

    I can’t imagine a more kind, gentle and peaceful going for Cinderella.
    She will always be there on the Hill. In the wind, the rustle of leaves, the rain that falls.

    Like

  4. Michelle Slater Avatar

    Under the beautiful stars, the end of Cinderella beautifully accomplished (((sigh))) and YES! Yes to the new Vet and the Animal Control people and you. How I would love to have heard the dying song.
    Perhaps I’ll dream it.

    Like

  5. Peggy McG Avatar
    Peggy McG

    I am grateful for your wonderful words, here to read at 2:00 am. Cinderella has given you a great Vet. Yes.

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  6. Marti Avatar
    Marti

    Gratitude and Guardians: Cinderella made the journey to the Hill, lived there a year. Now she is the Guardian of the Hill and I think back to Gideon, who holds the same title in Polvadera…both a part of the land now, a part of life in two different places, both gracing us with their presence, Guardians now who left us with gratitude for witnessing them…love to you.

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  7. Liz A Avatar

    Grace – bidding peace to you and yours … with much gratitude for all you share with us here

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  8. Deb G Avatar

    A good vet is such a relief. Gratitude…there is a lot of research still that it is worth paying attention to, that it makes a difference. It’s an important way of being to me. 🙂

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  9. dee Avatar

    Thank you for letting us walk in the velvety dark with you and look up at the stars. Sorry about Cinderella but glad she brought you Vet. Like Michelle, I would’ve like to hear the death song.

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  10. ² Avatar
    ²

    a beautyful naturel “y”es
    you understand it so well
    gratitude for all of you

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  11. Beth Avatar

    I so often read your posts and want to just say “yes”.

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  12. Susie Yonts Avatar
    Susie Yonts

    Grace — I just cried when I read this. Gratitude amidst all that is going on now is easy to lay aside, to forget. Starting a life from scratch is so much work. I’m feeling like I just want to go away from all of it and sit. Just sit someplace with nothing on my mind. So much to keep track of, so much to pay attention to that was always just there — just there.
    For a moment every one was being thoughtful and kind to one another. Time has passed. The expectation is that things are working out now for everyone. That it must be easier now. In fact it is harder and lonelier. We are left to ourselves now. The world has moved on.
    But remembering gratitude is the key. There is so much kindness, generosity and love in the world but it seems difficult for everyone to maintain the energy to express and live it day in and day out.
    I remind myself that I’ve lived within that love. That it is real and embodied in our communities. If I remember what has been given to me in this experience, the gifts both big and small, and if I can express my gratitude and love toward others, that is the key to my well-being.

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  13. Dana Webb Avatar

    Very thoughtful, Susie. Thanks.

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  14. Dana Webb Avatar

    Farewell Cinderella. Animals are such superb examples of the inexorability of life and death, so thanks to her for her life and for the gifts of her death. Thanks to you Grace, for keeping these things before our eyes.

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  15. jude Avatar

    yes, I saw the Y when I looked in.

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  16. grace Forrest Avatar

    i wrote a really LONG reply that typepad didn’t choose to post.
    so…for the moment,
    yes. Gratitude. But also, yes. Exhaustion. Both
    emotional and physical. It’s ok.
    the gratitude will come. One day at a time.
    THANK YOU for coming and sharing your experience.
    Love and Love

    Like

  17. hermosa Avatar
    hermosa

    I send some deep heart filled sighs …… toward you and the atmosphere you live in for now.
    Fire is a mighty element, this I have known.
    evermore,
    hermosa

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  18. grace Forrest Avatar

    all done with the hard part, she is

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  19. grace Forrest Avatar

    NY Day…i miss her, every day

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  20. grace Forrest Avatar

    i see her moving in the distance. Miss her.

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  21. grace Forrest Avatar

    it’s just a silly little song.

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  22. grace Forrest Avatar

    Gideon is her father

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  23. grace Forrest Avatar

    cannot share without Us

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  24. grace Forrest Avatar

    it causes a very real physical shift

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  25. grace Forrest Avatar

    as i said to Michelle…just a simple song,
    lighthearted,

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  26. grace Forrest Avatar

    We all understand, that’s the Beauty of US

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  27. grace Forrest Avatar

    it’s enough to feel, enough to say.

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  28. grace Forrest Avatar

    thank you for being here

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  29. grace Forrest Avatar

    i am grateful for these things in this life

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  30. grace Forrest Avatar

    Wind did good, huh.

    Like

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