January 7th, 1998

My beloved baby girl...
Our lives have changed over the past year.. and it seems
that as your anniversary date nears.. I miss you even
more... but this year.. a wonderful thing has happened.. I
have learned that the bond we share cannot be broken by this
separation called 'death'.. Thank you so much for visiting
me in the wee hours of the night as I awaited the judges
decision... your candle refusing to be quenched was so
evident a sign.. that the decision was already made...your
gift had already been bequeathed. I felt you so near to me
in court that day.. as the judge signed the order...giving
me the honor of sharing your name... I will carry with
pride this gift... you have chosen to share with me...and
now on this day... your Second Bridge anniversary.... in
return for this great tribute. . I return to you eternal
love for your generous gift..another link to share with
you..until you come running into my open arms one day.''''.
Without a shred of doubt.. you are the wind beneath my
wings..next year by this time.. your web pages will be up to
honor you as well.
As your BridgeDate approaches... I feel a sense of
melancholy, that you are not here, in the way we were, tho I
do not wish you pain again.. there IS a part of me.. that
would love to hold you for just 5 minutes, dear girl..but I
would not for anything give up the new fantastic link that
we have now...the times I sense your nearness so clearly,
and know without out a doubt.. that as my guardian angel you
are here!
I love you more than ever...and sharing your name has only
enhanced the closeness of this bond we share...
Starphire shows me that you speak thru him in so many ways,
thankfully, he continues to develop so many characteristics
like you....I hope that your holiday at the Bridge was the
best ever...with your mom, Megan, and your grandbaby,
Reggie.. I know Reggie is safe with you....
All my Love dearest, Echo
Forever & Always,
your Mom
MissyEcho

January 8, 1998

Last night..I lit Echo's candle & took out Echo's TeddyBear from her box...to hold while I slept.. or tried to....along with her blanket... I didn't go to sleep til nearly 2:30.... woke@3:45... the time Echo took her journey... I got up... was up a bit.. laid back down... couldn't sleep... opened Echo's music box.. and wound it up...and began retracing those hours...

Around 7:30.. about the time we were taking Echo to the vet for the autopsy.. I let the girls outdoors...and took Echo's book.. .along with a copy of this last note I wrote.. and Starphire on my lap...I began rereading each note... and poem...that I have saved...

.Starphire has.. in the past.. kissed my tears away.. but today...he did something he had
NEVER DONE before!!!!!! He actually kissed the tears from my eyes!!.. he has kissed my face many many times.. but never my eyes so purposefully!!!...Without a doubt.. Echo was here!!!!!...I talked to Echo....we shared the good times and the bad...and then.. I saw her sooo clearly... next to Starphire.... just a shadow.... but definitely here...then I felt her paw brush my cheek....my heart is so full....I finally fell asleep for a nap about 11:30AM & slept til 1:30 before getting ready for work...
I really hated to go to work.. but now I know why.. I was meant to go.... I went down to the chapel to light a candle ... there was one candle unlit.. in the very center of the table! I lit the Candle, talked to Echo... and then headed back to the floor... but something made me stop.. and detour to the gift shop...

I had been feeling a bit.. uneasy..{not sure that is the best word here}...that I had not gotten Echo a new ornament this year.. and THERE
IT WAS....a dear little TeddyBear Angel.. with wings that were.. kind of a deep maroon color... and the teddy is holding a rose.. the same color as the wings & the rose was
tied with a tiny strand of pearls!!!!!!