An Eagle Kiss
I found this touching story, and it just seemed very apt at this time. I was inspired to write this following a post from a very kind friend, who equated me and my efforts to an Eagle!…
His exact words were: ” You are an eagle amongst men, Ron, and I know that you will inspire more and more people as you go along your journey. Hang tight, my friend, for many of us need to hear your words of courage and never forget that whilst your body may not be up to it, your spirit will always soar the highest heights and be an example to many!”
Thank you Mark, for those very kind words…
I was, as you can imagine, very touched, by his sentiment, and felt extremely humble and honoured by his words. Those words have indeed uplifted me!
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I came across this story yesterday, and thought I would post it, as I believe it would help many other people, as it has me, with my recent ‘health’ issues, this past week. There are, sadly, many other folks out there, with far more serious health challenges, than I.
I would like to think that this story might help them too…
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Jeff Guidry & “FREEDOM”
This is the kind of story you need,
When it seems like the world is spiralling out of control…
Not many people get a picture of this proud bird, snuggled up next to them!
FREEDOM AND I HAVE BEEN TOGETHER 11 YEARS THIS SUMMER.
SHE CAME IN AS A BABY IN 1998 WITH TWO BROKEN WINGS.
HER LEFT WING DOESN’T OPEN ALL THE WAY EVEN AFTER SURGERY;
IT WAS BROKEN IN 4 PLACES.
SHE’S MY BABY.
WHEN FREEDOM CAME IN SHE COULD NOT STAND.
BOTH WINGS WERE BROKEN,
SHE WAS EMACIATED AND COVERED IN LICE.
WE MADE THE DECISION TO GIVE HER A CHANCE AT LIFE.
SO I TOOK HER TO THE VET’S OFFICE.
FROM THEN ON, I WAS ALWAYS AROUND HER.
WE HAD HER IN A HUGE DOG CARRIER WITH THE TOP OFF,
IT WAS LOADED UP WITH SHREDDED NEWSPAPER FOR HER TO LIE IN.
I USED TO SIT AND TALK TO HER, URGING HER TO LIVE, TO FIGHT.
SHE WOULD JUST LIE THERE LOOKING AT ME, WITH THOSE BIG BROWN EYES.
WE ALSO HAD TO TUBE FEED HER FOR 6 WEEKS.
EVEN BY THEN, SHE STILL COULDN’T STAND.
IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE A DECISION HAD TO BE MADE TO
EUTHANIZE HER, IF SHE COULDN’T STAND IN A WEEK.
YOU KNOW YOU DON’T WANT TO CROSS THAT LINE BETWEEN TORTURE AND REHAB.
IT LOOKED LIKE DEATH WAS WINNING.
SHE WAS DUE TO BE PUT DOWN THAT FRIDAY.
I WAS SUPPOSED TO COME IN ON THE THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
I DIDN’T WANT TO GO TO THE CENTER THAT THURSDAY.
I COULDN’T BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HER BEING EUTHANIZED.
BUT, I WENT ANYWAY, AND WHEN I WALKED IN,
EVERYONE WAS GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR.
I WENT IMMEDIATELY BACK TO HER CAGE;
THERE SHE WAS, STANDING ON HER OWN, A BIG BEAUTIFUL EAGLE.
SHE WAS READY TO LIVE.
I WAS JUST ABOUT IN TEARS BY THEN, THAT WAS A VERY GOOD DAY.
WE KNEW SHE COULD NEVER FLY.
SO THE DIRECTOR ASKED ME TO ‘GLOVE TRAIN’ HER.
I GOT HER USED TO THE GLOVE, THEN TO JESSES.
WE STARTED DOING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, FOR SCHOOLS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON .
WE WOUND UP IN THE NEWSPAPERS, RADIO (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) AND SOME TV.
‘MIRACLE PETS’ EVEN DID A SHOW ABOUT US.
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In the spring of 2000,
I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
I HAD STAGE 3, WHICH IS NOT GOOD.
(ONE MAJOR ORGAN PLUS EVERYWHERE)
SO I WOUND UP DOING 8 MONTHS OF CHEMO.
LOST THE HAIR – THE WHOLE BIT, I MISSED A LOT OF WORK.
WHEN I FELT GOOD ENOUGH, I WOULD GO TO SARVEY AND TAKE FREEDOM OUT FOR WALKS.
FREEDOM WOULD ALSO COME TO ME IN MY DREAMS AND HELP ME FIGHT THE CANCER.
IT HAPPENED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
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Fast forward… to: November 2000.
THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, I WENT IN FOR MY LAST CHECK-UP.
I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE CANCER WAS NOT ALL GONE AFTER 8 ROUNDS OF CHEMO,
MY LAST OPTION WAS A STEM CELL TRANSPLANT.
ANYWAY, THEY DID THE TESTS AND I HAD TO COME BACK MONDAY FOR THE RESULTS.
I WENT IN MONDAY, AND I WAS TOLD THAT…
ALL THE CANCER WAS GONE.
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So the first thing I did was to go up to Sarvey and take the big girl out for a walk.
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IT WAS MISTY AND COLD.
I WENT TO HER FLIGHT AND JESSED HER UP AND WE WENT OUT FRONT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL.
I HADN’T SAID A WORD TO FREEDOM;
BUT SOMEHOW SHE KNEW.
SHE LOOKED AT ME AND WRAPPED BOTH HER WINGS AROUND ME,
SO TIGHT, I COULD FEEL THEM PRESSING IN ON MY BACK.
(I WAS ENGULFED IN EAGLE WINGS)
SHE TOUCHED MY NOSE WITH HER BEAK AND STARED INTO MY EYES,
WE JUST STOOD THERE LIKE THAT FOR… I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG.
THAT WAS A MAGIC MOMENT.
WE HAVE BEEN SOUL MATES EVER SINCE SHE CAME IN.
THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL BIRD.
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On a side note:
I HAVE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE SICK COME UP TO US WHEN WE ARE OUT,
FREEDOM HAS SOME KIND OF HOLD ON THEM.
I ONCE HAD A GUY WHO WAS TERMINAL COME UP TO US, I LET HIM HOLD HER.
HIS KNEES JUST ABOUT BUCKLED, HE SWORE HE COULD FEEL HER POWER COURSE THROUGH HIS BODY
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I HAVE SO MANY STORIES LIKE THAT…
I NEVER FORGET THE HONOUR I HAVE OF BEING SO CLOSE TO SUCH A MAGNIFICENT SPIRIT AS FREEDOM.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS!
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A SMALL REQUEST…
ALL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO IS KEEP THIS CIRCULATING.
EVEN IF IT’S ONLY TO ONE MORE PERSON.
IN MEMORY OF ANYONE YOU KNOW,
WHO HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY CANCER,
OR IS STILL LIVING WITH IT…
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I hope this story will help someone, somewhere, to know that we do live amongst some of the most wonderful wildlife animals and birds, who very often turn out to be the best friends and companions we could ever wish for…
Or just someone who enjoys a GREAT STORY!..
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS STORY.