Caroline,
I think that's wonderful what you are doing in Monkee's honor and for Rambo. That's nice that your community has such programs. No such luck here in the sticks. So, your Catholic church has a place for memorial services for animals and such? I'm Catholic, and I can't imagine our church doing such a thing, but we're a little far behind the times I think. The Pope said some nice things about animals having souls or some such thing. I thought that was rather progressive for a conservative pope. I'll have to look for that quote somewhere. He also lamented the treatment of animals today for food (factory farms, etc.). As for the poetry, I know exactly what you mean! I'm an English major (finishing up masters), but I'm not a creative writer by any means. I love writing analytically. Essays get me very excited. I even applied to law school but chickend out and didn't take the LSAT. I appreciate poetry, but always thought that those who write it are totally different from me. It's all too abstract for my liking. Well, when facing the loss of my second pregnancy last year, I found myself in a really poetic state. Odd. I'd jot down phrases and observations while driving. There must be something therapeutic about it. I've never written a poem out of my ideas, but I've hung onto them in case I decide to sometime. Creative writing hurts my brain-the right side, since my days are spent in total left-brain-ness, but I think that poetry can be very healing. You should share your poem if you're comfortable with that. I hope your service planning goes well. I completely understand about your sister. My family is not very understanding about my animal passion. At least your mom is helpful. Mine just bugs me to take her pets off her hands! I finally got sick of it and told her that when she has 6 pets, then she can ask me to take some, but until then, please don't bother me about it anymore. Her pets have a fine home. They are in no need of rescue. If my mom and sisters weren't so darn lazy and self-centered. Enough ranting! I was trying to be supportive of you! Anyway, let us know how it goes. I'm sure it will give you some peace to put Monkee to rest. It will also allow you some time to grieve and get some sadness out. Best, Melissa _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Caroline Kaufmann Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 8:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: OT: Monkee's Funeral Service Melissa: In answer to your question, we haven't done Monkee's funeral service yet. BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO IT. My mom and I spent a lot of time debating where to do it and if we wanted a religious or lay person to do a reading/say something. We found the location...a "barn" behind my the church I grew up going to and where I went to school. The barn isn't really a barn, it's a building that used to be a barn. And tho I went to a Catholic church and school, my mom was surprised to discover that they now use the barn and the outdoor area behind it for things just like this. I kind of put it on my mom to help plan it and make phone calls/inquires and she just lost track. This Sunday, we are going to the Pet Memorial Ceremony sponsored by Chance's Spot- an online community for those grieving the loss of a pet. It's at an outdoor Amphitheater and there will be readings and music and everyone who attends will get their pet's name read aloud. I planned to take both Monkee and Rambo (the last of our geriatric cats- 19 yo- and my favorite of the litter, whom we put to sleep last Oct). And by "take"- I mean their ashes. We are still doing a separate, private ceremony for Monkee. I wanted to do it prior to the group ceremony on Sunday, but we just ran out of time. I wanted to do it tomorrow, but my Mom was dying to go to Morristown, TN to visit her only granddaughter, Lily, and she does SO much for me, that I can't begrudge her that. I will definitely let you know what we decide to do. I am going to have memorial prayer cards made for everyone who sent me a sympathy card (I got tons). My sister thinks I am crazy for wanting to do that (she told my mom that), but she can go to H-LL! There's a company that makes Pet Prayer Cards online and I have picked out what I want and the pic of Monkee I want on it. Still deciding about the text. I wrote a poem a week after Monkee died. I am NOT a poem writer AT ALL tho. I am a writer, but not a poem writer! But it just came out...I still don't know where it came from? I thought about putting the poem I wrote on the prayer cards, especially if I read it (or have it read- I don't know if I can get thru it) at Monkee's ceremony. The only person I have shared it with is my mom, yet she still hasn't read it yet because she says she can't (because she cries)- so I don't know if it's any good or not! But, I will keep you updated on what we decide. I'm pretty confident The Monk will always be my most specially loved (by me) baby and so it's really important to me do something official to honor him and lay him to rest. -Caroline _____ Discover <http://g.msn.com/8HMAENUS/2743??PS=47575> sweet stuff waiting for you at the Messenger Cafe. Claim your treat today!
