Miss Kelley wrote in a request for me to check on her little boy Bailey. It took a little searching on my part as Bailey had crossed the Bridge several weeks ago. I checked the Newbie Dorms, but I didn't find Bailey there. I walked all the way over to Francis Ferret's purple cottage, but she hadn't seen Bailey since the beginning of July. "Hmmm...Where is that boy?" I wondered aloud. Miss Francis invited me in for some nice iced tea, which I happily accepted. It was flavored with something exotic, like heather or lavender. We sat and chatted for a while then I was on my way out past the Meadows to look for Bailey. It's a long walk, Miss Francis packed me a lunch to take and I said my good-byes. As I walked I thought back on all the ferts I have greeted crossing the Rainbow Bridge, sadly there have been far too many of them. I do have some favorites. Like Spaz who arrived in July of last year. Muldoone was 'pre-porkypined' and wasn't able to meet Spaz as he crossed the Bridge, so I went over to greet him instead. And Pooh Bear who was owned by a sweet girl named Kathryn. Pooh's greeting touched me deeply because Kathryn was so heartbroken that he had to leave for the Rainbow Bridge. I think of Kathryn quite often and wonder how she is doing. I always think happy thoughts for her. I was coming up to The Great Tree Of Hope. This is where I decided to stop and have a snack before continuing on to search for Bailey. The Great Tree Of Hope has always been a magical place for me. It is the place where all creatures find relief from sorrow. If a ferret arrives at the Rainbow Bridge with a heavy heart filled with sadness over having to leave his or her Earthly family they need only sit under the gracious boughs of the ageless tree and think of their loved ones. Sorrow leaves their hearts and is replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace and gladness. The great knowledge of the Tree of Hope is imparted to them and all at once they understand why they have come to this place and they know they will see their loved ones again someday, and they will be reunited for all eternity. I always feel complete after sitting under the generous boughs of this ageless tree. My heart is filled with hope, my spirit is renewed and I am able to continue on my journey with a song in my heart and a spring in my step. I sat under the big tree and opened the lunch sack that Francis had given me. Inside was a large piece of raisin tart, my favorite! and a bottle of freshly squeezed raisin juice. There was also a small lavender envelope. I picked it up gently, it smelled of wild heather, my name was neatly scribed on the front 'Musty Pete' I felt a little bit nervous, not quite sure what to make of the note. I put it aside and ate my raisin tart. My goodness!! It was wonderful, it melted in my mouth! Francis Ferret is the best cook I have ever known, and I have eaten at a lot of places...well, before I came here, that is. I savored every bite. The raisin juice was almost as good as the tart. With a full belly I picked up the envelope, it smelled intoxicating. I turned it over and over and over in my large paws...almost afraid to open it. I laid back against the great tree, the envelope resting on my big barrel chest, I closed my eyes, 'only for a moment' I thought, 'only for a moment'. I quickly fell into a deep slumber, as all ferts will do when their bellies are full. I dreamed of fields of purple wildflowers, a heavy scent filled the air...it was glorious! I ran through the endless field, not knowing if I was running towards something, or away from something... or someone. I tumbled and rolled down a big grassy hill, landing with a thump at the base of a very large tree. I picked myself up, shaking tiny purple flowers from my fur. I looked up at the tree, it was enormous and it too was purple, even the trunk and the branches were a deep shade of violet and it smelled heavenly. As I stood there, awed at it's immense size and beautiful colors, I heard a small voice...."Musty Pete? Is that you?" the faceless voice asked. "Uh...Yeah...I am Musty Pete. Wh-Who are you?" I asked, a bit frightened, not yet knowing if this was a good thing or a bad thing. "My name is Wysteria. I am the guardian of The Great Tree Of Hope." she said. "Why can't I see you?" I asked. "My beauty is too great for your eyes to behold. If you were to gaze upon my beauty you would forget all about your one true love, Fancy Ferret. So, I dare not step out and show myself." she warned. "Oh!" I paused to think that over for a moment and the voice spoke to me again. "Pete? Do you believe in true love? You know...that love that happens to us only once in a lifetime, deep and meaningful love, like two halves coming together to make one perfect piece." She asked me. "Well....Yes. I suppose I do. Do you mean like the love I have for Fancy Ferret?" I asked her. "Yes Pete...that's exactly what I mean. What if you were to learn that Fancy didn't love you in the same way? Would it break your heart Pete?" She asked. "Would it break my heart? Fancy is the reason I wake up each morning. She is the reason I help out Mr. Big at the Bridge. She is the ONE soul I am waiting to be reunited with up here." I gasped at the thought of losing Fancy's love. Wysteria spoke again, very quietly she said, "She loves another." I couldn't breathe. My eyes welled up with tears and I said, "That's not true! NOT TRUE! Fancy loves ME!" Wysteria spoke in the faintest of whispers, I could barely hear her. "It is true Pete. She loves another." As tears fell from my eyes, I gasped, unable to breathe and suddenly I woke up. What a horrible dream. I touched my cheek and it was wet. I clutched Francis' envelope in my paw, I had nearly crushed it. I haven't had such a bad dream in a very long time. It took me a few moments to collect myself. I thought about leaving but curiosity got the better of me and I opened the lavender envelope. Inside was a small piece of lavender note paper, and written in a dark purple ink were the words 'She loves another Pete' The note fell to the ground...how could Francis know this? How could she predict a dream?? I did not understand what was happening. I put the note into the pocket of my vest and reminded myself why I had come way out here to begin with. I was supposed to be finding Bailey, and it was getting late. I packed my backpack and walked away from the beautiful Tree Of Hope and I wondered if the tree itself was trying to tell me something. I was nearing The Greater Falls and could hear the rushing water. This is another glorious site to behold. The Greater Falls...............Water has always been a source of power and renewal. It's awesome force has saved nations by providing sustenance...and destroyed civilizations through natural disasters. In the Rainbow Bridge Community, the Falls are very special and magical places. They feed the Pool Of Remembrance, keep lush The Meadows and provide life toThe Great Tree Of Hope. All ferrets, young and old have their spirits renewed by the waters magical healing powers. Just a drop is all that is needed to mend a broken heart or make well an injured ferret. I walked along the main pathway and could hear laughter ahead. As I came 'round a bend I could see several young ferts, boys and girls alike, playing in the water. They looked so happy and carefree. A young girlie fert noticed me and waved, "Misser Pete! Misser Pete!!" she yelled as she flailed her arms in my direction. I waved back without extending a greeting. My thoughts were still back at The Great Tree Of Hope and Wysteria. I stopped to watch the youngsters, they were having so much fun. They frolicked and splashed one another, diving behind the waterfalls, taking cover from a splash back at them. I watched for a few minutes then I hollered at the bunch of them, "Does anyone know of a young fert named Bailey?" No one answered, perhaps they didn't hear me over the din of the waterfalls. Ahem, I cleared my throat and said much louder, " DOES ANYONE KNOW A FERT NAMED BAILEY??" A young fert stood up in the waist high water and said, "My name is Bailey." I was astonished, but was it THE Bailey I was looking for? I asked him "Did you have to leave an Earth Mom named Kelley?" He nodded his head and said "Yes....Why? Is she okay?" he looked worried now. "Oh Yes! She is fine. She misses you. A lot. And she asked me to check on you to make sure you got here okay. Did you find any of your brother and sister ferts that came here before you?" I asked him. Bailey smiled and said, "Sure did!! Right over there is Hershey, and over there is Shadow." Shadow waved a paw at me, I waved back. Bailey said, "Can you tell our Mom Kelley that we are all okay? Let her know we are happy! It's very nice up here and one day she will come here and see it all for herself." He smiled at me. At that moment I smiled, a big grin, I was so happy I had found Bailey. So happy I could let Miss Kelley know that everything was okay. Bailey is okay. "Bailey, I am very happy to meet you." I said, extending a large paw towards him. "I will let Miss Kelley know that you are well. She will be very happy to hear that, she has been worried about you." I said. Bailey waded through the water and took my big paw in his, he said "I'm very happy to meet you too." he smiled at me and I could see the happiness in his eyes. "Well, now that I have found you, my work is done. I think I will head on home, there's a warm and comfy hammie waiting for me!" I said, everyone laughed and said "Goodbye Mister Pete!" As I turned to leave I sighed to myself and heard those words again, "She loves another Pete." I wondered if any of it was true, or just a dream...... You can always send a Bridge Greeting Request to: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML 5687]