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Nothing But the Momentby Richard HannibalI just finished reading Janice Peters' Morro Musings column in the February 2010 issue of the SLO Coast Journal. The piece was about the passing of her beloved dog, Kissy. I had tears in my eyes after the first couple of sentences, because I knew where the article was heading. I too am an animal lover; "Damn . . . those critters just leave us way too soon." By the end of Janice's article my tears had increased. Yah, a big, bad cop sobbing like a 1st grader. I felt not only the sadness, but the joy of having loved something that loved me back with great enthusiasm. Her article took me back to the day when my best friend, Hobie, passed away quietly in my arms. I took comfort in Janice's words about her dog, Kissy, crossing the Rainbow Bridge and visualized Hobie standing and waiting on the other side with his leash in his mouth. Biologically, Hobie was a Golden Retriever, but spiritually he had the wisdom of the ages. Hobie lived in the moment, with no thought of yesterday or tomorrow. He had no regrets, guilt, or dreams of power. He just was . . . Hobie's life in the "moment" flowed on, receiving from it and transferring unconditional love to those around him. He slept when he was tired, ate when he was hungry, and was always ready to play and enjoy each moment. It was all he had and all he needed. There was nothing else. Hobie's life was a series of experiences, each one lived to its ultimate. He played joyfully in the Cayucos surf with no thought of the rather unpleasant bath that followed. When the bath did come, he stood patiently, for at that time, the bath was all there was. Hobie's life lacked continuity. It was merely a thousand different moments in time, each lived and experienced individually. Time had little meaning except what meaning I gave it. It was 7 a.m. to me and the start of a workday. To him, it was just another moment, one he took or one he gave. Hobie loved his runs on the beach, his walks up the hill, and his rides in the car. He especially loved that human sound of, "bone." However, he did not dwell on these moments. He did not look forward to these times or think of past experiences. Be it a run, a ride, a walk, or a bone, it was merely another time to savor and nothing else mattered. Hobie somehow knew he had a responsibility for the gift of life. But he did not consider this a constraint; it just came naturally. The goodness in his life was in perfect balance to the goodness he gave out. The warmth and incense-aroma of his fur comforted on cold, rainy days. He would lie at my feet and calm my most hectic of days. In our human thoughts, you could say I was Hobie's master. But in reality, he was my teacher. Since Hobie, I have been blessed with Brisco, another life-teacher who has joined Hobie on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Now Sevin is by my side and my learning continues. From Hobie, Brisco, and Sevin to you . . . don't miss the moment! Don't miss family and friends. Don't miss the magic of life, and don't miss the flow of unconditional love between you and another. There are wars and rumors of wars, but for now there is the moment . . . don't miss a single one. |
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