This Best Shot Monday is about the picture I didn’t take. The picture I thought I would take on Sunday; but Sunday was too late. I was fortunate enough to grab the video camera. This picture was captured as a .jpg from the video. I really thought I’d have time to get some great pictures on Sunday.
I’ve mentioned Brownie briefly before. Brownie is the class bunny that my 9-year-old son loves. During “silent reading time” my son sits by Brownie’s cage on the floor, and quietly reads to her. He grabs carrots and puts them in his backpack for Brownie. He talks about Brownie at least once a day. He tells me facts about rabbits I never knew.
He has been counting the days for his turn to take Brownie home for the weekend. As we carried Brownie out to the car, parents and students in the hallway waved to Brownie, and said, “Have fun!” In her 6.5 years, she has visited many of the families’ homes in our neighborhood. She is well-loved, and could easily pass as the school mascot. The boys were so proud to be taking her home.
The boys squealed with delight. You can see it all here in a video here and here. She looks so alive. On Saturday, when I put my 9-year-old to bed, he seemed a little gloomy. He said, “I can’t believe it’s almost Monday and I have to take Brownie back to school.” Yes, I said, but aren’t we on the schedule again in two weeks? Yes, he smiled when he remembered.
Less than an hour later, thankfully, after the kids were asleep, Brownie left us. It was very fast and quick — I can only describe it as a seizure. If I had been out of the room, I would have missed it. I would have found Brownie “asleep” and I would have went to bed. Then, my children would have tumbled down the stairs in the morning eager to play with Brownie…
Can you imagine anything worse? I’m grateful the children were asleep. I’m grateful I was with Brownie. She didn’t die alone. I called, and got the teacher out of bed; she took Brownie home so Brownie wouldn’t be here when the children woke. In true spirit, as she fought back her own tears as she said, “Well, I guess it’s time for the class to learn about the cycle of life.” As we stood talking, I felt a very cold. And then I remembered, I had just opened the door for her a few minutes before. Later, when I opened the door for her to go, I realized, it wasn’t THAT cold.
What to say….. that was a difficult one. My great friend had the perfect words. “Brownie was tired, and possibly ill, and felt comfortable and peaceful enough to die at your house. And how fortunate that she died in a home where she was loved, and not all alone in the classroom.”
Yes, we are all grateful for that. My littlest guy, keeps saying, “I just want to hold Brownie. Just one more time.” And my son, my 9-year-old, he took it hard. Today, just send him a kind word of comfort in the comments.
I didn’t want to touch that video in my camera. I haven’t finished the videos from fall 2006, and I vowed I wouldn’t start another video until I’m caught up. My son was so sad; and I thought here is the motivation I need to get one video done. If I don’t do this now, I will never have the desire to watch this video again, and it will sit on the tape unwatched, forever. I’m not going to procrastinate, like I did with the photos; I’m going to pull this video out of my camera, edit this and have this one tribute of Brownie for my son. Just comments of comfort for him.
You have a beautiful blog.
So very very sorry for your loss. Years ago I had a bunny (named Topher)… she was the sweetest little thing. It’s very sad to lose a little friend.
Oh, no. I’m just so sad for him. The words your friend offered were brilliant.
How difficult for your boys and how very sad. But you handled that so well.
And what a lovely teacher to come and help out.
Pets, both those for individual families and shared pets such as this touch us so deeply.
oh that is so terribly sad!! it is so hard to loose a friend like that….
Pingback: Susiej » Hot cocoa is the new food group
I’m so very sad for your boy. Your friend is so right. And thank goodness you were there so you could say, truthfully, that she didn’t suffer long.
Big hugs to your son!
I’m sending some prayers your way. The loss of an animal friend is such a painful one. Maybe you could read your son the “Rainbow Bridge” poem that is online. Several people sent it to me when I lost my dog of 11 years, Scout. It was tremendously comforting and even now, almost two years later, it still soothes me. How lucky Brownie was to be loved by so many!!!
I am so very sad for you and your sons. He truly loved that bunny. It’s great though, that he was able to spend time with him at your home. (((Hugs to your boy)))
I think it’s wonderful that your boys had the chance to love Brownie. I’m so sorry for their loss, but hope the memories they have will help soothe the pain.
Ohh… what a tough lesson. It sounds like Brownie had a good life and was loved by many many kids! What could be better?
Smiles and hugs to your son.
I’m sorry to hear about Brownie too. He was a very lucky bunny though to have been loved by so many children – not all bunnies are that lucky.
I sorry about Brownie. That’s such a tough thing to have kids exposed to. Sounds like Brownie was very loved!
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: There, she is gone!
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: There, she is gone! there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
Here she comes!
And that is dying.
– Henry Van Dyke
pets often give us more love than many humans. They are true friends and family. I am so sorry that Brownie is gone, but I trust she is in very good hands now.
it’s so hard to watch your kids lose something/someone they love. my 5 year old has experienced a terrible amount of loss for his short 5 years, losing 2 people and 2 pets that meant the world to him. he too has been lost in grief this week as his great grandma, or memaw dd passed away monday. hugs for you, it sure hurts to watch our kiddo’s go through something like this, and for your son:
you sound like you were a very good friend to brownie, he was blessed to have you in his life. i’m sorry you are hurting, oneday, i don’t know how soon, but oneday you’ll remember brownie with only smiles, and feel really lucky for getting to be a part of his life. and until then, it’s okay to feel sad, hang in there
Hey there little one of SusieJ,
My heart goes out to you. I’m dealing with a similar situation right now with my daddy. He is still with us but the time for him to go to heaven is near. One of his final wishes is to be home and around those who love him. What better gift can I give him than that, and you did the same with Brownie.
Big hug to you!
I just can’t believe that! I mean, you just have to believe that maybe Brownie felt comfortable dying in your home because Brownie knew it was so loved there? I can’t think of any other reason why, of all weekend, Brownie would depart like that!
So sorry to hear about Brownie. I had a bunny named Hoppy (not very original, I know) but I loved the bunny with all my heart, and I could show you still today where he was buried.
Hope the hurt heals, quickly.
Oh no that is sad.
Hugs to your 9 year old.
that is sad. i feel for him.
This is a touching story. God bless Brownie and her gift to you. Odd, how a passing can teach us so much. I agree, she was comfortable enough with you to leave. How awful if she had been alone in the classroom. You write like an angel, SusieJ.
Pingback: Susiej » Those tough questions of life and death
My son came home and told me about Brownie the other day. I was out of town for work and when I got home on Monday, that was the first thing he told me about. He said he felt so bad for YOUR little boy too. He knew how much he loved that bunny, as did everyone in that school.
I can’t think of a nicer place for her to be though…surrounded by all your wonderful family.
That is a great picture too….
I am so sorry, and I think your friend is absolutely right.
I am so sorry that Brownie is gone. It’s so hard to lose a special friend. Think of your good times with Brownie.
Pingback: Mom, why is this bunny so … | Susiej
Pingback: Beware Of Clay Recipes — Susiej
Pingback: A Writing Magic Trick — Susiej
Pingback: Brownie’s Obituary — Susiej
Pingback: Santa Should Just Know