I met the nicest boy who crossed over the other day. His name was Bandit and he was dark and handsome. He was more than ready to be here and to be whole again. He was quite a vision, with his dark but highlighted wings to match his hood. He was stout and healthy. Rejuvenated and free he didn't step off of the bridge but glided. By my side was Minka and others. But he was looking for two very special friends. The best is always saved for last you know. With eternity on our sides, we walked over the rice beds while little heads popped up through the rice to see the new arrival. Every time a ferret's head popped up the rice flew, and when it hit Bandit he dooked and danced. Oh but I knew what he was waiting for ... the snack bar. Now whole, he could eat everything and anything he wanted. He can be surrounded by food forever. He was dizzy, turning in circles looking at everything around him like the raison bar, ferretone fountain, and even foamy fry forest in the distance. Every treat in the world was there just waiting for him. Minka winked and told us that it was time to move on. Time to find his special friends. So off we shuffled while the kits tossed cloud balls at us, the otters spatter mud on us as they ran by, and the mink tossed fish at us. From behind a cherry tree, Pebbles and Snoopy pounced on Bandit. They tossled about before Bandit tore off up into the clouds. They flew and dashed through the skies at each other, before finally flat ferreting on a cloud and chattered. That's where they told Bandit how much they loved him, and how much his mommy misses him. They showed him how to put his ear to the clouds to hear her voice. Sometimes he can hear a distinctive echo of tear drops. But he understands how that is part of how humans heal. And he hangs on all of the wonderful words she has spoken about her boy. They will be joined again ... part of everything around them. [Posted in FML issue 5015]