Rescuers Quilt

Rescuers' Quilt
Author Unknown

As I arrived at the Bridge, I faced all the animals who had gone there
before me. Before each of us go to the Bridge, we live our lives like
the squares of a quilt in many piles, mirrored in the eyes of the
animals awaiting us. An animal Angel sits before each of us sewing our
quilt
squares together in a tapestry that is our life. But as my animal
Angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and
empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each
square was labeled with a part of my life as a rescuer that had been
difficult, the challenges I was faced with in my quest to save lives
and the times I had been tempted to take the easy way out and avoid the
controversy rather than speak for the animals who could not speak for
themselves.
I saw hardships that I had endured for the sake of the animals, which
were
the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny
hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened. My animal Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth
together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally, the time
came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the
scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their
tapestries.
So filled their lives had been with the riches of the Earth. My
animal Angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped
to
the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had
love in my life, and laughter and the sweet kisses of the precious
animals
who honored my life with their presence. But there had also been the
trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took me from
their world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often
struggled
with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick
up
and begin again. I spent many nights crying and praying that somehow the
strength would come to go on, asking for help and guidance as I tried
to help thehelpless. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I
endured
painfully, each time enduring it for the sake of the animals who
looked at me with trust and love in their eyes.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had
to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined
squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air.
I gazed around at the animals gathered there, who stared at me with
wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the
many holes, creating an image of an animal who had depended on me.
All the animals at the Bridge stood before me, with warmth and love in
their
eyes. They said, "Every time you gave over your life to help us, it
gave us life. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside
and
let us shine through, until there was more of us than there was of
you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing the animals to
shine through.

Author Unknown