Winter is traditionally a time of introspection, a time where in the cold darkness our ancestors took more time to contemplate their lives than we do today. In our modern world, we have electricity - lights all night long if we want them - heat at the push of a button (not forgetting the less fortunate who still struggle for these simple necessities), and electronic entertainment: television, movies, internet, and games, games games! It takes a little extra effort to find that quiet winter space of contemplation and storytelling that so nourished past generations. Though it has been much milder than normal for us here in Iowa, I know others, including my relatives in the Pacific Northwest, are struggling with winters beyond their usual experience. I would like to invite you to find that place this season, while the days are still shorter. Even though the temperatures aren’t keeping us cooped up, find a quiet space for contemplation before the earth springs back to life and takes us out to our gardens and summer activities - it will happen before we know it!

My mind is turning to our relationships with animals, our pets and nature. The animals that live close with us are the best at opening our senses and perspectives. They teach us patience, compassion, tolerance, and love. They show us how to “live in the moment,” that elusive place that we seem to pass by as we worry and plan for the future and review events of the past. Take a moment to sit quietly and observe an animal - wild or domestic - carrying on its daily activities, whether it is a bird outside foraging endlessly or the cat endlessly napping. Animals touch us and teach us and bond to us even when we try to resist it.

It has been my plan, since this website was created, to have an area for people to share their stories, photos, poems, and artwork relating to special animals in their lives. I see this as not just a memorial page of animals gone from us, but a celebration of the life all around us that continues on, a collection of stories of how animals touch our lives. I don’t want it to be only my stories, but I will start the ball rolling. I would like to invite you to share your stories, and photos can add so much if you have them. They can be anonymous if you like, dedicated to those special creatures that enrich our lives and sometimes drive us crazy!

Send your stories to me.
They may not be posted immediately, I will get to them as there is time, and they may need editing to fit the page - I will contact you about any changes. Thank you for your participation in this Celebration of Life.