For Bo

I avoided the Tanner Brigade today because I didn't want to have to write these words . . . but I think I (with Mom's help) found a good way to say what we want to say:

~Miss Sally, Miss Chey, Miss Bailey, Miss LadyBug, Miss Pepsi, Mrs Sophie Bub,  and the rest of the Brigade Angel Girls seemed to know just what to do as they stood in the background watching Bo and his family.  Bo had sent a message to the Bridge to let them know he was gonna end his life here on earth like he lived it . . . on HIS terms. 

The  Brigade Boys hung back, shuffling paws a little from side to side.  Tanner had his paws around Sandy, Morgan was holding onto Nikki and Hershey had his arms around Maggie, Bear Bear was holding Mom Lea's hand and Teddy Bond was watching it all.  All the room was silent except for the quiet words passed between Dad and Bo and Mom Lea. Then the room suddenly filled with light seen only by the Angels as they quickly moved to carry Bo up to the Bridge.  He had taken his last earthly breath in the arms of his Daddy and he was free to go now.   The Brigade Angels quickly moved into action.

The trip to the Bridge was instant.  One minute in the arms of his Dad, the next in the wings of the Angels.  They gently set Bo down on the ground and waited until he blinked and sat up.  He took a breath.  No more choking. 

He stood up and the Brigade Angels watched as Bo's glorious wings grew.  Long, thick, beautiful and strong.  Bo looked around and Tanner and the rest of the Angels moved to him, all talking at once about how he was at the Bridge now, and he could run and play like a pup again.  Finally, Hershey held up a paw and began to speak "Bo, you are here at the Bridge, ever to stay until your Daddy comes to take you the rest of the journey.  We will show you where everything is. 

~Hershey pointed over his shoulder~  The Lake is that way and we have a humongous boat that has been idle for a while because we didn't have a captain.  We know how much you love the water, and well, we were kinda hoping you would take the job.  That boat is yours ~moving so you can see the side of it~  Bo's Kentucky Wind.  We had an an argument about it.  The Girls ~looks at Miss Sally and snickers~ said it had to be named after a woman since Boats were She's.  Teddy Bond squeezed his way into the middle of the group and said "But, we decided it was Bo's Boat so Bo's Kentucky Wind it is".

Tanner took Bo's paw and we began moving moving on down the path.  Tanner  pointing out this and that as we moved as one big group.  "We know your Mom and Dad miss you very much.  You can check in on them anytime you like.  Sometimes they can see you, sometimes not.  But they will know you are there.  And Sandy, Maggie and even Nikki will know when you come by.  They may try to blame things on you, even though you are absent." Tanner chuckled along with everyone else.  "We are often used as scapegoats." 

Hershey interjected, "Smoochy always tries to blame things on me!"  

Miss Sally moved to Bo and gave him the longest, biggest, sweetest hug imaginable and whispered in Bo's ear.  "We are so sorry you had to leave them, Bo.  But we will watch over them and do our best to keep them safe and happy.  We watch over everyone's parents when we have to leave.  ~leans over the clouds watching Mom and Dad, sending down love, prayers and kisses just for them~  ~mwah, Mwah, MWAH~

Bo
Fly High