Griefing- and memory-literature, the rainbow bridge

The rainbow bridge

There is a bridge which connects heaven and earth. For its many colors it is called the rainbow bridge.

On this side of the bridge is a wonderful land
With blossoming meadows, green grass and beautiful forests.

If a beloved animal has to leave the earth forever
It comes to this wonderful place.

There it will find plenty of food and drink.
The weather is always warm and nice like in spring.
Old animals get young again, ill animals are healthy again.
The whole day they spend in joy together.

There is only one thing missing to complete their happiness:
They are no longer with the people they loved on earth.

And so they run and play together every day
Until one day they suddenly halt and watch.
Their noses pick up a scent, their ears are sticking upright and their eyes become wide.

It separates from the group and starts running across the green grass.
It gains speed because it has spotted you.

And when you and your beloved pet meet
There is an abundance of joy that will not end.
You take it into your arms and hold it tight.

Your face is kissed again and again.
Your hands stroke its beautiful soft fur.
And finally you look into the eyes of your beloved friend,
Who was gone from your life for so long – but never from your heart.

Then you both cross the rainbow bridge
And will never part again …

(Paul C. Dahm, Übersetzung von Carmen Stäbler)

Mourning phrases

„You are no longer there, where you were, but you are everywhere where we are.” (Victor Hugo)

„Memories are little stars that shine consolingly into the dark of our mourning.“
(Author unknown)

„The nicer and deeper our memory, the more difficult is the parting. But gratitude turns the memory into a silent joy. One does not bear the beautiful past like a thorn. But like a precious gift inside.”
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

„When the sun of life sets, the stars of memories shine.“
(Author unknown)

„What you have deep in your heart you cannot lose through death.“
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

„I am not dead. I only change rooms. I live inside of you and walk through your dreams.“
(Michelangelo Buonarroti)

„And once you have been consoled you will be happy to have known me.”
(Antoine de Saint Exupéry, The little prince)

„When you look at the sky in the night you will think that the stars shine because I live on one of them, because I laugh on one of them. You alone will have stars that can laugh…“
(Antoine de Saint Exupéry, The little prince)

„Whenever we speak of you, some sunrays reach our souls. Our hearts keep you inside as if you had never gone. What remains are love and memories.”
(Author unknown)

Erinnerungsliteratur

Anne Seven , Mehr als nur ein Hund. Ein Erinnerungsbuch.
Claudia Pilatus/Gisela Reinecke, Es ist doch nur ein Hund … Trauer um Tiere.
Carmen Stäbler (Hg.), Abschied vom geliebten Tier.
Sylvia Browne, Alle Tiere kommen in den Himmel. Das spirituelle Leben unserer Tiergefährten.
Sabine Arndt / Petra Kriegel, Tierseelen. Wie man bewusst und liebevoll mit Tieren zusammen leben kann.
Sabine Arndt / Petra Kriegel, Wenn Tiere Ihren Körper verlassen. Sterbebegleitung für Tiere.
Gertraud Radke, Unsere Tiere – Botschafter der Liebe. Die Bedeutung der Tiere im Plan des Lebens.
Helmut Zöpfl, Tiere kommen in den Himmel.
Holger Weinert, Ein Hund und eine Seele. Warum wir unsere Haustiere so vermissen.
Jenny Smedley, Tiere, Gefährten meiner Seele. Ein Trostbuch für alle, die einen geliebten Tierfreund verloren haben.
Elli. H. Radinger, Der Verlust eines Hundes – und wie wir Ihn überwinden.
Katharina Rücker-Weininge, Abschied für länger – Über den Tod unserer Hunde.