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Crossing Over ~ In Honor of Nonsh
Posted on November 10, 2009
My day began with the delightful anticipation of photographing a friend playing with her horses. The air was warm. The earth was carpeted in wheat colored grass and fallen leaves. I drove along the back roads, entering territory I have never traveled before. Had I known where I was really going, I may have had this aching in my gut that has been with me, on and off, for these past two days. One never knows where life is truly leading us. I believe there is always a divine plan, but how many of us know its course in advance of our arrival? I didn’t. Not that day.
After nearly two hours of witnessing one of the most beautiful relationships between a woman and her horses, the events turned towards Nonsh, a 27+ year old horse with Cushings Disease. Her condition rapidly began to deteriorate, and a decision must be made on her behalf. Below are images from the final hour with Nonsh and the woman and her pasture mates that loved her. And will always love her.
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. (Kahil Gibran)
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling? (Kahil Gibran)
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? (Kahil Gibran)
The Viewing
The above image and the four that follow are the horses expressing their grief. They ran, bucked, whinnied, rolled. Their emotions were on fire, and it was beautiful to watch.
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance. (Kahil Gibran)
Nonsh, you may be gone from this world but your mark shall always be present in the hearts of those you touched. I knew you for less than a day but I will always feel the teachings you imparted to me in your final hour. Thank you.
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Darlene, you did an incredible job of capturing so much love and sadness and tears and memories…thanks for being part of it….and doing such a good job with a steady hand! Namaste.
Darlene, Thank you for touching my heart with this. I am so impressed when anyone’s creativity can touch the depths of a heart, wheather its a photo, a poem, song. etc, thank you for sharing. EF johnson
Darlene, you did a beautiful job telling this story through pictures – I was moved to tears, knowing and sensing all of the emotions. And thank you to the owner for allowing Darlene to capture your tender moments. Rest in peace Nonsh…
Oh Darlene! Those pictures are amazing. I was crying!! That must have been so powerful. I’m sure they are so thankful they will have these pictures to remember their much loved horse. xoxo
I knew nonsh for some 18 years – and I still can see her silent nicker, and count it among my most treasured connections from a horse.
Phil is right. Closure is easier with the help of these magnificent photos. Thank you. She’s not gone, never will be, but your images have helped me accept that I’ll not see her again in this life.
Beautiful, shots Darlene. You did a wonderful job capturing the love and devotion between all the people and animals in Nonsh\’s life. <3
As someone who appreciates photography, never knew any of the animals or people involved, I am incredibly impressed with the emotional story told with your photos. Powerful, and heartbreaking are probably the best words to describe them
Oh my goodness, Darlene. This series of photos touched my heart. As someone who has had to put two dogs down in the past few years, I can only imagine what Nonsh’s owner went through after having him all those years. You’ve captured the animals, and their people friends, in the most wonderful light imaginable…the light of love and respect. Thanks for sharing these. Miss you!
I was blessed by being Nonshs caregiver for a time and I am so grateful for the photos. Nonsh helped me see the world differently and for that I will always love her and cherish her memory.
Oh my goddess, no words for the energy from these precious photo’s. A reminder of the depth of love and loss from my dearly departed Dakota.
Darlene
I have only just seen this and I can’t tell you how much it made me cry. I have just got in from the vet as one of my boys had an accident this evening. His shoe came off and a nail went inot his foot. So I feel all a bit emotional worrying for him as you do!
I am lost for words. What a precious memory.
I love the follow-up blog which you posted today…….
Best wishes
Sally
I have had this experience with a farm workhorse who worked with me on my land and in the woods for twenty years and we had to shoot him at 30 as he could no longer take in food. (in those days in my small town a farmer did this as there was no euthanasia for animals) and it was a local cultural tradition. Unfortunately it was a terrible death and my beloved animal suffered. He had been my constant companion and had taught me to again love horses after I had been thrown as a child and had always been terrified of them until my giant Barney melted my soul. I miss him every day. It has been 15 years since he died. I learned a lot from this experience about myself and my life and death and suffering and it was all because of this magnificent animal.
nancy
Beautiful tribute, beautiful images.