Sir Winston

[Yasashii_Kaze]

SW left early this morning at 2 AM MST. I was the only person by his side, but we were not alone. He did not struggle or feel pain; he simply took a deep breath and was gone.

I will have more to say in the coming days but for now I leave you with this from our hearts to all of you.

"I saw the light fade from the sky
On the wind I heard a sigh
As the snowflakes cover my fallen brothers
I will say this last goodbye

Night is now falling
So is this day
The road is now calling
And I must away

Over hill and under tree
Through lands where never light has shone
By silver streams that run down
To the sea

Under cloud beneath the stars
Over snow on winter’s morn
I turn at last to paths that lead home
And though where the road then takes me I cannot tell
We came all this way but now comes the day to bid you farewell

Many places I have been
Many sorrows I have seen
But I don’t regret
Nor will I forget
All who took that road with me

Night is now falling
So is this day
The road is now calling
And I must away

Over hill and under tree
Through lands where never light has shone
By silver streams that run down
To the sea

To these memories I will hold
With your blessing I will go
To turn at last to paths that lead home
And though where the road then takes me I cannot tell
We came all this way but now comes the day to bid you farewell
I bid you all a very fond farewell"

YK (& SW)

 

[Dianthus]

Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

 

[LallyH]

Wishing you peace

 

[eaglejet1]

My deepest sympathies, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you peace during this time.

 

[graceanne]

 

[Niam1985]

<3
Peace be with you.

 

[seela]

Peace and strength. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

I hope there is someone taking as good care of you now as you took of SW.

 

[desertslave]

Godspeed, Sir Winston

Love to you, Yasashii_Kaze

 

[A Desert Rose]

It's taken me 8 hours to figure out what to say, and still I don't know what to say.

He was a good man - one of the nicest I've ever known. And I'm sure he has great rewards yet to come. And he left an indelible mark (as a Dom, I'm sure he's smiling at that comment ;-)) on everyone who knew him, read his words or were lucky enough to call him friend. He will be greatly missed.

Thank you YK for the message this morning letting me know that Winston has left us.

Love,
Roxanne

PS Now YK, it's time for you to take care of yourself.

 

[Sweetdaisymae]

YK, my thoughts are with you. Sending my love xxx

SW be at peace, free from pain. Take our love and respect with you.

 

[midwestyankee]

It's a good thing that I can type this because I have an unwilling throat and a heavy heart. YK, your patience and generosity have been formidable. I second all those who have urged you to take some time to heal yourself now.

HUG

 

[MeekMe]

I never found the right words... SW will be missed. He was the kindest here.

 

[IrisAlthea]

Thank you so much for letting us know! It's good to hear that he didn't feel pain and that he had you by his side.

I wish you strength to get through this difficult time!

 

[Malich]

I am sorry to hear that!

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

Much love and comfort, YK.

 

[the captians wench]

 

[bhndblueyes88]

There aren't words. SW will be sorely missed. I hope peace comes to those he's left behind and joy is found in his memories.

 

[Que]

What a loss. From the little I was privileged to know of him on the board I cannot fathom how much deeper the loss must be to those here that new him well, much less his intimate friends and family.

The man had immense gravitas that was balanced, nuanced and serene.

Rest in peace.

 

[neci]

to all those left behind
his words of honesty and wisdom
worth every search you make
and to those held deeply in heart
my love goes out to you

 

[ecstaticsub]

My heart goes out to you, YK. SW will be missed around here.

 

[gypsy*seer]

Peace, YK.
SW is so very missed.
Take some time to breathe.

 

[DVS]

I don't know what it was, but I sensed a need to come here, today. Now, I know why.

I have a story that I don't often tell. Years ago, my mother had a massive stoke. We knew she was going to die, it was just a matter of when. She was in the hospital and we didn't know for sure how long, but we kids took turns sitting by her bed for the first couple of days.

They had two dogs in the house, both sisters from the same litter. My mother was the one who fed them and cared for them and they followed her most everywhere she went in that house. When she did die, those two dogs sat in the living room, wagging their tails and looking up at a corner of the ceiling. They were acting like they saw someone they knew.

They stayed there for about 10 to 15 minutes. We couldn't figure out what they were looking at, because there was nothing there. I can't explain it, but one of my sisters thinks our mother had come for a last visit on her way to heaven. There were several of us in the room and I don't remember for sure if I felt anything of a presence, but those dogs sure did act like they saw somebody up in that corner of the ceiling.

A few years later, my father had a series of small strokes and they left him unable to care for himself or even speak. We had to put him in a nursing home. He lived there, for the last few of hears of his life. Parts of his personality were gone, but he still knew us kids. And he was friendly with the ladies too, as much as a man of 86 could be. He had always been quite the charmer.

He always smiled when I went for a visit. I think he was a little partial to me, because I was his only son. He had taught me a lot about fending for myself. He taught me electricity, plumbing, carpentry, masonry and just about anything else someone might need to know. He was a true jack of all trades.

The day he died, it wasn't unexpected. He had been pointing up to the ceiling of his room and smiling, as if he was recognizing someone. He did this off and on for several hours. I had to work the next day, so I had to drive home. My sisters were off for the summer, so they stayed.

Later that evening, a strange feeling came over me, as if there was another presence with me in my house. I couldn't see anything or anybody, but it really felt like someone was looking at me from an upper corner of the room I was in. I could only figure it was the spirit of my father coming for a last visit, on his way to heaven.

I could tell where his spirit was, almost as if I could see him. I couldn't see him, but that's really how it felt. It might seem unbelievable to some, but I guess it's just something you have to experience for yourself. This only lasted a couple of minutes, then he was gone.

Not more than 5 minutes later, my sister called and said he had died. I told her I already knew because he came to visit me on his way to heaven.

I know some people don't believe in heaven. I do. I don't know if there is a God, but I do believe there is something after this life. Whether it be our souls, our spirits or what, I do believe there is something more. I tend to think this life is a training ground of sorts.

Believe it or not, that's up to you, but don't condemn me for what I believe, because I won't condemn you for what you believe. We all have our own opinions on things. I'm not a church goer, nor do I believe everything in the Bible. I do my own thing.

I see Sir Winston in heaven, meeting friends and family who have gone before him. They are his angels. Any pets he's had are also there. There is no hell. God forgives everyone. You might not believe the same as me, but let me have my beliefs and I'll let you have yours.

I won't bore you with more details, but Sir Winston has moved on to that next life. And those who knew him will see him again. And for those who were closest to him, he will be one of your angels on the day you die, escorting you to heaven.

God's speed, Sir Winston.

 

[DVS]

I just thought of something. God had better watch his punctuation and grammar! He's got a real expert up there, now.

 

[CutieMouse]

Peace be with you both.

 

[BiBunny]

Peace and love to SW, one of the finest people I ever met. You will be missed.

And also the same to YK, along with much gratitude for loving and caring for our friend in his final days.