The Art of Remembering...
Every Sunday, throughout the month of October, a group of us join together in the art of remembering-all leading up to the Dia de Los Muertos in November-aka All Souls Day. Our hosts, Rebecca and Stephanie lead us graciously on this journey. Won't you join us? Joining can be as simple as visiting all the links posted on their blogs of those who participate. Share with us the beauty of remembering.
The Art of Remembering...
As Rebecca had written (I've taken an excerpt from her poem):
"treasure all those
who have graced our lives with their own courage and verve.
to reaffirm the promise to live life fully,
straight from our hearts, boldly, with great unending passion,
one full day at a time."
(image from Dia De Los Muertos Community display at the South Broadway Cultural Center)
I am remiss for not writing down the name of the artist who dis this artwork that was on exhibit at South Broadway Cultural Center in 2010. I'd hate to have you think that I did this artwork. This and last week's angel is from the same exhibit and I wish I had taken down the names as I would like to give them the credit here. I've 'monkeyed' with the photograph I took. If anyone knows the artist or if the artist themselves stumble upon this, please let me know and I will add your credit immediately!
My altar/shrine is nearly complete. I feel like my father in law is laughing at me for just getting him a mini of the Jim Beam. I should at least have a flask size!! Maybe on the next trip to the store. I like how my altar is coming out and I shall reveal it on Nov. 1st.
I remember my little doggie, Sniffles. I was in about 4th grade when I got him, I think. He was mostly a beagle-black and white and really resembled Snoopy and was a lot like Snoopy. He was my buddy, my pal. He'd go hiking with my brothers and I. For a little dog, he was absolutely FEARLESS. Where we lived on Molokai, our neighborhood was a remote-like the last frontier. Down in the gully, there was a pack of wild dogs that we had to be mindful of not to run in to. They were known to take down cattle. But Sniffles, that boy would go out on a regular basis to mark his territory. He had no qualms about taking on a pack of wild dogs. He'd cause me a lot of stress when he'd be gone for days on end making his rounds. No fear, that dog. Which was his demise. My brothers and I were getting on the school bus one early fall morning, and we realized that Sniffles followed us to the bus stop. He decided he had to take on the bus and chased after the it. He got too close to the tire and it ran him over. It was awful watching my little doggie die like that, but a big bus is no match for a little beagle. My older brother Pat, carried him home.
For months afterwards I had dreams of him coming back-limping home with his injuries. I think he was trying to tell me he was OK, though. He was the best, my Sniffles. And, that's what I remember about him. Being fearless.
I remember my little doggie, Sniffles. I was in about 4th grade when I got him, I think. He was mostly a beagle-black and white and really resembled Snoopy and was a lot like Snoopy. He was my buddy, my pal. He'd go hiking with my brothers and I. For a little dog, he was absolutely FEARLESS. Where we lived on Molokai, our neighborhood was a remote-like the last frontier. Down in the gully, there was a pack of wild dogs that we had to be mindful of not to run in to. They were known to take down cattle. But Sniffles, that boy would go out on a regular basis to mark his territory. He had no qualms about taking on a pack of wild dogs. He'd cause me a lot of stress when he'd be gone for days on end making his rounds. No fear, that dog. Which was his demise. My brothers and I were getting on the school bus one early fall morning, and we realized that Sniffles followed us to the bus stop. He decided he had to take on the bus and chased after the it. He got too close to the tire and it ran him over. It was awful watching my little doggie die like that, but a big bus is no match for a little beagle. My older brother Pat, carried him home.
For months afterwards I had dreams of him coming back-limping home with his injuries. I think he was trying to tell me he was OK, though. He was the best, my Sniffles. And, that's what I remember about him. Being fearless.
7 comments:
Oh what a profound story about your sniffles. It tugged at my heart strings since I know how it feels to lose a family pet member. It hurts! I love that piece but I still can't get sniffles out of my mind. ::hugs to you:: See you next week and on November. Take care
What a heartfelt story. I have photos of my beloved past dogs on my ofrenda. They are part of our families, so I hope you have a photo of Sniffles on yours.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, my. What a sad thing to witness, and yet your memories of his loyalty and friendship will always be with you.
Blog posts like this should always take precedence to the blogger. It not only gives us visitors incite on your person but makes us remember that life is so precious..be it a fur baby like your doggie, or to anything and anyone. Well done.
oh sweet Sniffles! He surely will have a place of honor on your ofrenda!!
x..x
Oh I am sorry you had to witness your sweet Sniffles that day. But you have carried his memory in your heart and his fearlessness abides in you.
You, in 4th grade, priceless. Those memories stay with us forewver, don't they? Melancholy feelings you shared, thanks.
Our altar is up. We bought a different table and chair set at the thrift store. It came with this very tall, almost didn't fit through the doorway, hutch. After moving the other piece out of the way and getting the new hutch in, instead of putting all the stuff from the old hutch, we simply made it our Los Dias 2011 altar until after the celebration.
Looking great so far. I too will reveal ours on November 1st.
Peace
dear paula,
your post is so full of love and the power of pets in our lives. i woke up this morning with our cat in my arms, also a black and white spotted creature.
so much comfort and companionship. i love that what stays with you the most from your precious little dog is great boldness and a lack of fear.
i cannot wait to see your altar!
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