Tag: love

“Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.”

One of my most favorite passages from poet, Mary Oliver – whose words capture so brilliantly the beauty of this natural world.

Whether it’s the sweetness of a hummingbird pausing just a moment longer, or the thrilling contrast of sunflowers against the far off black oaks…her imagery has the power to captivate, and steal even the most hardened heart away.

“Most mornings I’m up to see the sun, and that rising of the light moves me very much, and I’m used to thinking and feeling in words, so it sort of just happens. I think one thing is that prayer has become more useful, interesting, fruitful, and … almost involuntary in my life,” she says. “And when I talk about prayer, I mean really … what Rumi says in that wonderful line, ‘there are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.'”

I, too, and moved by the morning light. And, like her, my spirit has been immeasurably moved by these instances where the earth becomes the divine.

My dears, when we are able to observe deeply in this way – our connection to this world becomes unbreakable.

It’s been said that poet Mary Oliver “stands quite comfortably on the margins of things, on the line between earth and sky, the thin membrane that separates human from what we loosely call animal.”

And, I, could think of no better tribute.

My dears, on this day – I invite you to share in the love of her words.

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“Eat bread and understand comfort.
Drink water, and understand delight.
Visit the garden where the scarlet trumpets
are opening their bodies for the hummingbirds
who are drinking the sweetness, who are
thrillingly gluttonous.

For one thing leads to another.
Soon you will notice how stones shine underfoot.
Eventually tides will be the only calendar you believe in.

And you will hear the air itself, like a beloved, whisper
Oh let me, for a while longer, enter the two
Beautiful bodies of your lungs…

The witchery of living
is my whole conversation
with you, my darlings.
All I can tell you is what I know.

Look, and look again.
This world is not just a little thrill for your eyes.

It’s more than bones.
It’s more than the delicate wrist with its personal pulse.
It’s more than the beating of a single heart.
It’s praising.
It’s giving until the giving feels like receiving.
You have a life–just imagine that!
You have this day, and maybe another, and maybe
still another…

We do one thing or another; we stay the same, or we
change.
Congratulations, if
you have changed.

Let me ask you this.
Do you also think that beauty exists for some
fabulous reason?
And, if you have not been enchanted by this adventure–
your life–
what would do for you?

What I loved in the beginning, I think, was mostly myself.
Never mind that I had to, since somebody had to.
That was many years ago.
Since then I have gone out from my confinements,
though with difficulty.
I mean the ones that thought to rule my heart.
I cast them out; I put them on the mush pile.
They will be nourishment somehow (everything is nourishment
somehow or another).

And I have become the child of the clouds, and of hope.
I have become the friend of the enemy, whoever that is.
I have become older and, cherishing what I have learned,
I have become younger.

And what do I risk to tell you this, which is all I know?
Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world. ”

― Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems

Pay Attention to the Lessons That Have Not Yet Been Learned.

[blockquote source=”Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times “]“Rather than letting our negativity get the better of us, we could acknowledge that right now we feel like a piece of shit and not be squeamish about taking a good look.”  [/blockquote]

I was distracted recently over a rather silly matter.

My heart which had been basking in the warmth of ‘compassionate mind’ – was unexpectedly tossed from it’s rightful resting pillow.

A dear friend had mentioned something quite innocently in passing, and I…triggered by the memory of a much deeper wound, latched on like a foolish old dog to a bone.

And though, I knew immediately what was happening – I still couldn’t escape the emotion to follow.

I was stuck in the muck of a lingering spot – aware, but nonetheless ‘hooked.’

I apologized immediately, of course – and explained, that my tears were simply part of another matter.

It should have ended there, but over the next several days, I really struggled with a residual energy. I was restless, impatient, and my tolerance, worn. And, with each passing moment, I felt my world narrowing.

I was trapped by something I could neither see, nor yet fully understand. But, I knew enough to stay. To be unafraid of what this new light might reveal.

How many times has this happened to you, my dears? Something is said in passing, a nasty email is received. We feel attacked, threatened, angry…bitter. And, we let in linger.

We tell stories to our friends and mates, attaching further energy to our pain.

All the while, we can feel it festering – poisoning the normally still waters of our being.

This is your ‘edge’, my dears. And, your triggering is an invitation to look a little deeper still.

“Most of us do not take these situations as teachings. We automatically hate them. We run like crazy. We use all kinds of ways to escape — all addictions stem from this moment when we meet our edge and we just can’t stand it. We feel we have to soften it, pad it with something, and we become addicted to whatever it is that seems to ease the pain.” – Pema Chödrön

We’ve all longed for this moment, my dears – in which, we are offered this precious gift of awakening. And yet, we fight it with all and everything we’ve got…while one hand slips, the other grips.

We think it’s the fall we fear – when in reality, what we fear is an honest self reflection.

And, this lingering, my dears? Is simply a reminder…a reminder to pay attention to all those lessons which have not yet been learned.

 

 

Why the Buddha Never Walked Away: A Humble View on the Transformative Power of Love.

[blockquote source=”From the Metta Sutta, Discourse on Loving-Kindness“]”so with boundless heart should one cherish all living beings; radiating kindness over the entire world: Spreading upward to the skies, and downward to the depths; outward and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will.”[/blockquote]

I have always been moved by this passage, from the Metta Sutta, a Discourse on Loving-Kindness – and, in which, the Buddha speaks directly to the nature of thoughts and actions which lead to radiating loving-kindness.

To radiate is such a powerful word, don’t you think? It helps us to visualize the energy behind the action, to bridge the gap between body and spirit; to demonstrate that the roots of all actions are sown deeply within the richness of mind.

And, these words have truly shaped my interaction with this world.

It’s difficult to keep a calm head when we are distressed, particularly if we allow fear to motivate our response. However, our reaction will only serve to change the dynamics of the situation, and not necessarily provide us with peace of mind.

And, we so very much need peace of mind as we are navigating through.

Perhaps, this is one of the greatest challenges in our awakening – to offer kindness, in the face of great adversity, to transform an ill moment, into one comprised of love?

And, you’re not the only one. Why, not even the Buddha was safe from the harm. Those who feared or misunderstood his teachings, including his own cousin Devaddata, desperately attempted to murder him. But, they were always unsuccessful.

Why?

Because, the Buddha recognized the divine within all of us; and as such, regarded all beings with unconditional loving-kindness. So much so, that he inspired others to radiate these feelings, as well.

And, so as we do, we inspire.  Something, I dare say we’ve only just begun to realize.

Such is the power of the Buddha’s loving-kindness, that not even a murderous rage could prevail.

So, why didn’t the Buddha simply walk away? To leave the company of those who wished him such grave harm?

Because, he knew that this energy must be transformed, and perhaps, he knew – that he was the only one able to do it.

And, just as Mother protecting the life of her child, so too, must we nurture this spirit of love.

This is my blessing for this day, my friends: blogger-image-534325196

[blockquote]”Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with boundless heart should one cherish all living beings; radiating kindness over the entire world: Spreading upward to the skies, and downward to the depths; outward and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will.”[/blockquote]

In love and equanimity, my friends… “in gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease”

 

How to Live this Life Completely.

[blockquote source=”Jonathan Safran Foer”]I regret that it takes a life to learn how to live.”[/blockquote]

There’s a story I quite love, about an old man of generous of spirit, who knelt each morning by the side of the Ganges River – and, in order to offer his prayers for this world.

And though, he was revered by most of the villagers, there were others who thought him to be fool. Why should one man give so much of himself, to a world that would never know the depths of his devotion?

They were convinced his naïveté would bring him harm.

But, every morning (and in spite of their rumblings) – still, he carried on.

Then one day, the old man saw a spider struggling against the rushing waters. And though, he knew the spider to be quite poisonous – still, he helped him anyway.

It was as he was placing the spider safely to the grass, that it turned to deliver a vicious sting.

But, miraculously the old man was unaffected – it seemed his kindness had diluted the spider’s poison.

Day after day, the old man return to pray. And, each day, he saw the very same spider struggling.

And, every day the old man was delivered the same poisonous sting.

“What’s the matter with you?” the spider pleaded, “Can’t you see that I will sting you every time? Because…because, that is what I do.”

“And, this,” the old man smiled in return, “this is what I do.”

The story is about being true to one’s spirit, and…to be genuine in your manifestation of self.

Interestingly enough, there’s a similar story about a frog and a scorpion – though, it’s meaning is quite the opposite, asking us to be ever-mindful of the true nature of others.

Isn’t it amazing how these two stories carry equal spiritual weight? One of caring, and the other of caution?

Perspective determines everything, my darlings.

In recent years, I’ve learned that the truest source of my spiritual bliss – is when I’ve faced the odds, and ‘done it anyway.’

In some ways, this diagnosis has become one of my greatest blessings – as, it forced me to face loss in an entirely different way; unafraid to step into the light of my being.

Oh, sure, I moped and sopped and carried on, but in the end, I realized,

Life goes on.

And, you can either take the reigns, or wallow in your own complaints.

In looking back, perhaps my diagnosis was my ‘spider’ – at first, a threat and then, a reminder.

That we must always carry on, my friends – and, no matter what those ‘spiders’ may say.

You Are the New Day.

[blockquote source=”Brene Brown”]”We are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion.”[/blockquote]

A friend posted this to my page this morning, a most beautiful passage written by one of the members of the King’s Singers – and brilliantly heartfelt.

Interestingly enough, I had just been thinking, “What makes a friend?”

I’m always pondering over these such things – wondering what it might take to bring us all just a bit nearer. We are ‘born together, yet dying of loneliness’ – and, here I sit this morning, trying desperately to determine cause.

So, what makes a friend? An interesting question, indeed.

I think true friendship shares with us a world, we never knew existed – but, always felt was there. And, helps to cast all doubt aside, in those moments when faith may be wavering.

But, in the end – perhaps, it’s friendship that becomes the light to our ‘brand new day’?

Much love, and many blessings, my dears….and thank you, for the gift of your love.

You Are The New Day.

I will love you more than me
and more than yesterday
If you can but prove to me
you are the new day

Send the sun in time for dawn
Let the birds all hail the morning
Love of life will urge me say
you are the new day

When I lay me down at night
knowing we must pay
Thoughts occur that this night might
stay yesterday

Thoughts that we as humans small
could slow worlds and end it all
lie around me where they fall
before the new day

One more day when time is running out
for everyone
Like a breath I knew would come I reach for
the new day

Hope is my philosophy
Just needs days in which to be
Love of life means hope for me
borne on a new day

You are the new day

The Reminder of Dawn.

[blockquote source=”Mary Balogh”]”And yet day and night meet fleetingly at twilight and dawn, and their merging sometimes affords the beholder the most enchanted moments of all the twenty four hours.”[/blockquote]

I watched the sun rise today – a distant dawn hinting of lavender and faded peonies; while far off trees marked bold contrast between the waning night and this glorious new day.

And, further off, nestled deep within their stately limbs – a young robin, eager to sing his praises of Dawn

twiddle-oo twiddle-oo, twiddle-oo twiddle-oo…

There are moments within each day, my dears – little pockets stuffed full of the glistening magic of this universe. They have the capacity to soften even the most hardened of souls, to blast through these dusted corners we’ve kept so carefully sealed from the world.

To force us to fly open those shutters, and take in this light of a life, renewed.

It’s within these gentle moments, my dears – when the heart is muted to ego’s scolding, and we’re able to hear what our soul is seeking,

“Which will you choose?” the morning breeze begins, “a life distilled to routine’s ticking clock….or, are you bold enough to step into this light again?”

I’m always astonished when nothingness carries such great purpose;

To remind us that we are more soul than this body might ever hold…and, more heart than there is light in this world.

So, what will it be on this day? A hurried rush, or this magic of dawn?

The Magic Inside the Bubble.

[blockquote source=”Alan Wilson Watts, Zen and the Beat Way “]”It is interesting that Hindus, when they speak of the creation of the universe do not call it the work of God, they call it the play of God, the Vishnu lila, lila meaning play. And they look upon the whole manifestation of all the universes as a play, as a sport, as a kind of dance…” [/blockquote]

I saw a little boy playing ‘bubbles’ this morning. His grandfather, you see, had arrived the evening before – and these bubbles were just a small token of the many ‘gifts’ he carried with him.

And, with every dip of that wand – he squealed and hopped and lunged his way into the morning’s delight. Bubbles have such a magic about them, and to a little boy – this magic is irresistible.

“You missed one,” his Grandfather shouted…pointing upwards to a lone bubble struggling against the wind. And, with just the slightest hint of a grin to his face – I knew this Grandfather was up to something.

A Grandfather’s grin, you see, is always his ‘tell’.

And, oh how I knew that grin…the grin of ‘something delightful to come.’

Sure enough, just as the little one took off in chase – I watched as the Grandfather pulled a tiny bell from his front coat pocket, and patiently waited for just the right moment.

“Over there,” he shouted as the bubble settled back again to the earth.

And with one final, gloriously grasping leap… the little boy clasped his hands around it, and…

BRRRNNNGGG

There it was, the sound of a bell.

Oh,  and you should have seen the look in this little one’s eyes – I mean, how could a bubble ever ring?

“Grandpa…did you hear..?” he asked, “it made a jingle!!” And, with hands tightly cupped, he walked ever-so-carefully back to his Grandfather’s side.

Ah, such delight a little cleverness might bring…when something as small as a jingle, perfectly timed, can bring a whole world of magic to a little boy’s hands.

“That means, you get a wish,” his Grandfather smiled, “anything you want.”

And, without ever missing a beat, the little boy answered,

“Grandpa, I want more bubbles…”

My dears, isn’t it amazing how these little ones know – that the most perfect day in the world, is the one spent with Grandpa on the front porch blowing bubbles?

There’s a lesson in here for all of us, I’m sure…

But for now, my dears, I must be off – to secure a bell and a Summer’s worth of bubbles. 😉

Many blessings, my dearest friends…and love, to one and all.

Only You May Know the Meaning.

[blockquote source=”Gerald R. Stanek”]“It is your omen, only you know the meaning. To me, it is but another star in the night.”[/blockquote]

How wonderful when life’s blessings find us in the simpler things…and in spite of the cynicism that may surround us.

Like this little heart I found at the bottom of my coffee cup ~ a reminder of that which matters most in this world; the gift that is this love.

My dears, these little notices surround us everyday…indelible manifestations of the treasures that this life has to share.

And, all that we really ever have to do is to simply open our eyes… and have faith, that the heart will follow soon.

Life is all about these little signs, my dears – and only you may know their meaning.

Namaste, my darlings…and, may all the blessings of this earth gently cradle your every step…

 

13 Simple Rules for Living.

[blockquote source=”Nicholas Sparks”]“And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love.” [/blockquote]

During a recent conversation, and in a moment that I’m sure was marked by the exasperation of wanting very much to understand, but not quite knowing the way forward—my most dearest friend, took a long, deep breath and said to me,

“I just don’t know what to do.”

We were having one of those conversations, the deep and soulful—and sometimes painful sort that often takes place before we are able to learn and grow. It was one of those forever moments, that we mentally bookmark—never knowing at the time its true value, but knowing enough to tuck it away for a second look.

Life is just this way. It likes to sometimes hide its messages and lessons, in ways that force us to dig deep through the thickest of mud and muck to find the gem inside.

And sometimes in the digging through we find something most surprising: that the “gem” was there inside us, all along.

Sometimes, we don’t always know what to do.

Sometimes, there is nothing we can do.

And sometimes, the things we are supposed to be doing get lost in the complexity and emotion of those things we are trying so desperately to understand. It’s in these cases, where it becomes most important to fall back to basics—and remember life’s simple rules for living.

It’s not a very long list, after all. But if you dig through the muck and the mud long enough, you might just find that gem inside.

My dears, these are my simple rules for living…enjoy.

1. Upon waking up, and before your toes touch the floor…

…always remember to take a moment to do a mental count of all those things that make you smile, and all of those many reasons you are forever and so endlessly grateful. And then, when your toes do touch the floor… let it be a reminder to carry all these things in your heart as you move forward through your day. This is my process every morning. It works pretty well. Unless, I step on a Lego, in which case, I fall back to my bed and repeat that process all over again.

2. Coffee, first thing…

…and before you even brush your teeth. Maybe also have it set on a timer so that when you wake up that beautiful aroma surrounds you, kind of like a “welcome mat” for your day. I do this too—only these days, I fill my cup with decaf. But that aroma remains the same.

3. Hot towels, right after a shower…

…for me are a Godsend. I know it seems frivolous and probably way too much of an indulgence, but if you don’t have one, get a towel warmer. Just for you. There’s nothing like being swallowed up by an oversized, super fluffy, hot towel. Hot towels are good for your soul—I’m convinced of it.

4. Read, everything…

…because good stories, particularly the farthest-fetchiest ones, are the ones that build hope and dreams, and set our hearts to believe that everything is a possibility. And good stories seem always to find their way to the “happily ever after” —no matter how difficult or complicated or twisty the story line.

5. Go for walks in the woods, long ones.

And don’t take anyone with you. Be alone if even just for 15 minutes. There’s a beauty and a magnificence in this solitude, as you’re surrounded by an entire world of nature. This world is oblivious to all the interference in our days—the problems, the issues, the upsets. In nature, there is no sense of urgency, no marking of time. It’s the only place that I have ever felt so completely still.

6. It doesn’t matter.

Don’t get me wrong, some things matter, but in general, most of this stuff that we experience is just the noise of this life that surrounds us. At the end of the day, and in a much bigger way—these things only serve to steal away the fullness of those more beautiful moments. In the end, it’s what we have experienced and the love that we have shared that matters most of all. The memories that we create will still stand firmly in our place when our bodies are long gone from this earth. Our legacy is everything.

7. Simplify everything.

The big stuff and the little stuff, too. Take the easiest route from point A to point B, and eliminate all those extra steps our chattering minds would love always to insert on our behalf. Simplicity allows us the space to breathe.

8. Stop worrying.

Sometimes things are not always as they seem. Sometimes there are bits and pieces of the greater whole that are not always entirely visible in that moment when our minds begin the process of filling in the blanks. And sometimes the blanks are there for a very special purpose: adding to the mystery and magic of our lives and this great universe. Our energy is better spent in appreciating those little things that we can see fully. Like a tree bending in the wind, or a puppy sleeping on the edge of a couch. Or, in a friend saying to you, I’m here, now and I love you so fully and completely. It’s the worry that keeps us from being fully and completely here.

9. Laugh until your belly hurts.

This comes only after the long walking and the simplifying and the non-worrying. Find that one thing in your day, or that one memory that will creep up on you as a small giggle, or ends up stopping you in your tracks as you struggle to catch your breath and wipe the tears from your eyes. Because laughing this hard tears down all of the made up bullshit that is around us. And laughing this hard can take away any pain (no matter what). Laughing this hard can bring together even the most farthest away of spirits. And, laughing this hard leaves a wake of silliness and joy in its place. So laugh until your belly hurts, or until you wet your pants—whichever it is that may come first. It doesn’t matter, just laugh.

10. Memories are like little time capsules.

We choose what it is that gets so neatly locked into place for “discovery” so many moments further into our future. This time capsule has no limit—no capacity, no fill line. It’s endless, and waiting for you to fully embrace that moment and fill it with everything you’ve got. That’s why, when we can hear a song, or smell a faint scent wafting through the air…it instantly carries us back to that special place. And it’s also why, when I hold a peanut in my hand I think of that most unfortunate squirrel, who in spite of his best attempts still ended up taking one straight to the noggin. Myself? I’m a memory pack rat. I stuff it all in. Because I want to remember all of it, every moment.

11. It’s okay to dig out all of the pecans from the inside of your favorite butter pecan ice cream.

If it’s what you want, and what will make your heart smile, then baby, grab your spoon (or fork, if you prefer to limit the trail of pecan destruction evidence). Whatever it is that rocks your world, go out and get it. And don’t ever apologize or try to justify. Just do it. Embrace it. Life is way too short to be stuck in that silly endless process of wondering whether we should, or should not. Whether we ought to, or ought not. If it’s in your heart, and what matters most, then do it. And do it with the greatest flourish, and flair that you can possibly pack into that experience of finally having what it is that you’ve wished for all your life.

12. Boundaries and limits: they’re not always set in stone.

Sometimes you’ll meet someone with a crazy sense of adventure and spirit (like me) who’ll not rest until those limits and boundaries are pushed, and nudged, and finally nudged again. Some people, like me, are born into this space and role of continuously testing those limits. It will piss you off and probably make you crazy, but rest assured, there’s a little reason in all of that unsettled upset. It’s because, at heart, the person who is most testing your limits is usually the one that can see beyond potential and far into possibility. She’s the one who can stare at worthless, unworked patch of land and see a lifetime of exploration and adventure. And though sometimes this message can be lost inside the awkwardness of the pushing and the nudging, rest assured, it is always there for you to see. “Be limitless, and be in your limitlessness. Everything is possible.”

13. Love is the only “takeaway.”

No matter where we are, and no matter where our paths may take us…no matter if we walk our paths together, or stumble along on our way alone, love is always the takeaway. And we should carry it in only the most special of ways, tucked closely and forever to our hearts, and look to it in these sometimes seemingly impossible situations, because…love is what carries us, and love is what gets carried on long after we are gone.

Sometimes we don’t always know what to do.

Sometimes there is nothing we can do.

But in every situation and circumstance it is always our choice how to live within each of our every days.

So, be forever mindful—and never forget, these little life lessons we’ve learned along the way.

whitedrawnhearts1.5

I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau.

[blockquote source=”Jimmy Stewart”]”After [Beau] died there were a lot of nights when I was certain that I could feel him get into bed beside me and I would reach out and pat his head. The feeling was so real that I wrote a poem about it and how much it hurt to realize that he wasn’t going to be there any more.’”[/blockquote]

When legendary film actor Jimmy Stewart visited Johnny Carson on the set of The Tonight Show, he shared with him one of his many other loves.That is, his love of poetry….and, more so, of a little dog named “Beau.”

At first, the audience giggled with delight – but it had a much different effect towards the end.

It’s impossible to put into words that which happened next – becoming one of the most touching tributes between a man and his beloved dog.

I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau

by Jimmy Stewart

He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn’t come at all.

When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.

Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn’t drag.
He’d dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I’d grab him, he’d turn and bite me.

He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn’t read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.

He set the house on fire
But the story’s long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.

On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.

He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.

But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.

We are early-to-bedders at our house — I guess I’m the first to retire.
And as I’d leave the room he’d look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I’d give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I’d fish it out with a smile.

And before very long He’d tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner In no time at all.
And there were nights when I’d feel him Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I’d pat his head.

And there were nights when I’d feel this stare
And I’d wake up and he’d be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I’d feel him sigh and I think I know the reason why.

He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he’d be glad to have me near.

And now he’s dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.
And there are nights when I think I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he’s not there.

Oh, how I wish that wasn’t so,
I’ll always love a dog named Beau.