tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post7313975132555302965..comments2024-03-28T02:27:45.688-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: RememberingOldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-43697750383347535202015-11-04T07:59:34.257-08:002015-11-04T07:59:34.257-08:00Thanks for sharing that Scott.
Thanks especially ...Thanks for sharing that Scott.<br /><br />Thanks especially for that last bit.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-6004568753926964832015-11-03T18:40:53.788-08:002015-11-03T18:40:53.788-08:00In February 2000, my beloved Norwegian Forest Cat,...In February 2000, my beloved Norwegian Forest Cat, Lazarus', time ran out, at 18 years of age, he was just worn out. He was a cat that radiated love, and liked being with his people. He knew when you needed comforting, and was there to give it. In 1994/95, I was involved in a nightmare relationship with a woman who, having been married to an abuser for 9 years, was no longer entirely sane. <br /><br /> The aftermath of that has kept me from even asking anyone out for 20 years, as no one will be allowed to be in the position to hurt me the way Corinne did. All through that time, Laz would always meet me at the door, when I came home in the morning, and would curl up next to me as I mourned, snuggleing up to me, and purring for me. Sometimes, when things were really bad between Corinne and I, and I would cry myself to sleep, I found just how absorbant Forest cats are. He was a very, very important member of my family. <br />When his life got to the point where he was in constant discomfort, I took him to the vet, and held him when she gave him the shot, and held him as he drifted off, and went limp. I then went home, and cried all afternoon, yet there was no Forest Cat there to help.<br /><br />So, I know of what you speak, and cannot imagine having to go though it twice. Remember, Sarge, you are Badger Approved.SCOTTtheBADGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859188068159799373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-52613141264006004402015-11-02T04:31:52.592-08:002015-11-02T04:31:52.592-08:00Amen!Amen!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-63397982972713570622015-11-02T01:13:39.768-08:002015-11-02T01:13:39.768-08:00It's not an empty clearing there at the end of...It's not an empty clearing there at the end of the path. There's plenty of room for all kinds.HMS Defianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024721130102173694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-4773355893404773682015-11-01T17:03:08.489-08:002015-11-01T17:03:08.489-08:00That's a good one, a place where sailors can c...That's a good one, a place where sailors can carouse and be happy and have no fear of the shore patrol. Valhalla is another thing entirely, not sure I'd want to fight all day and drink all night!<br /><br />I do believe that the Heaven of the priests is nothing like the real thing. Nothing at all like that.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-75784219735385655592015-11-01T17:00:14.722-08:002015-11-01T17:00:14.722-08:00In the heart is where He is.In the heart is where He is.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-66972483337960987932015-11-01T16:08:41.814-08:002015-11-01T16:08:41.814-08:00I embrace the "Fiddlers Green" eschatolo...I embrace the "Fiddlers Green" eschatology myself--maybe a bit of Valhalla thrown in.Captain Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17297301009511642108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-5528081367803433342015-11-01T12:41:29.605-08:002015-11-01T12:41:29.605-08:00Okay, I'm gonna admit that brought tears.
A t...Okay, I'm gonna admit that brought tears.<br /><br />A thought on when you wrote: <i>"My heart tells me one thing, the religious scholars tell me another."</i><br />God is in my heart, not in my head.<br /><br />Sean says it pretty well, too.(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-35732539948456826412015-11-01T11:04:03.037-08:002015-11-01T11:04:03.037-08:00Thanks Shaun, you get it.Thanks Shaun, you get it.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-83930638251840362392015-11-01T10:52:24.228-08:002015-11-01T10:52:24.228-08:00Part of being a real and complete human being is f...Part of being a real and complete human being is figuring out that faith doesn't have anything to do with certainty. I'm not sure a person can be a complete human without learning to resign themselves to never getting an answer to the metaphysical why questions. Life is sacred, at least in part because making life is far above our paygrade. None of us can make as much as a cell, let alone a cat or a person. Neither can we know why cells and cats and cattle and people are not immortal. All we can know is that's the way it is. We also know, or at least learn, that when life departs from the creatures we know the pain of that mortal separation is enormous. It's hugely more enormous when we lose those we've come to love. Makes no difference whatsoever whether the loved one is a goldfish or a grandmother. Love and loss are a package deal. As much as it sucks, I don't believe the former could exist without the latter. The tiny silver lining is that occasionally we can use our experience of love and loss to ease the burden of our fellows. Which is what you've done with depth and eloquence here. Thank you my friend.PrairieAdventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466447251827774900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-30980593006532296822015-11-01T10:45:26.060-08:002015-11-01T10:45:26.060-08:00Thanks Jim, I really appreciate that.Thanks Jim, I really appreciate that.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-48584788624600852982015-11-01T10:44:58.910-08:002015-11-01T10:44:58.910-08:00Yes I do and I cherish them. Hard to forget the ol...Yes I do and I cherish them. Hard to forget the old ones though, my kids grew up with them.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-54987090325220116592015-11-01T10:44:26.868-08:002015-11-01T10:44:26.868-08:00Oh I get that, it's what I do when I need to, ...Oh I get that, it's what I do when I need to, which is, fortunately, not very often.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-84174049089960549172015-11-01T08:06:18.560-08:002015-11-01T08:06:18.560-08:00What can I say, other than this is a beautiful pie...What can I say, other than this is a beautiful piece? I've known that heartbreak and have cried similar tears; nothing to be ashamed of, in any way. Anyone who didn't give a damn would be the one to be ashamed. Think less of you for it? Hardly. If anything, it emphasizes my respect for you as a human being.Suldoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778845367184916684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-44825811618479976762015-11-01T07:37:44.587-08:002015-11-01T07:37:44.587-08:00You do have other cats now do you not Sarge?You do have other cats now do you not Sarge?Ron Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01217389199007968254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-3303048061298750922015-11-01T07:30:55.870-08:002015-11-01T07:30:55.870-08:00Combining two Army sayings, one from my son's ...Combining two Army sayings, one from my son's era and one from mine, "Embrace the suck, drive on". Not being callous; just that every morning you need to get up and start putting one foot in front of the other.Well Seasoned Foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16670165728759453075noreply@blogger.com