I finished my tea early this morning. Today I needed to be at the Bridge early. I would be meeting a new arrival named Jilly today. It was going to be hard because Jilly wasn't going to know why she was coming here. I would have to explain things to her.
I met Jilly at the foot of the Bridge. She was a bit shaken, as one might expect. I went over to her and put my arms around her, feeling her tremble a bit. I held her for awhile without saying anything. I could tell this was very difficult for her to understand, and first I needed her to know she was safe.
After Jilly stopped trembling, she took a look around. All of a sudden she stretched out her paws and realized that she felt much better than she felt in the Hoomin World. She was no longer tired, or sick. I could see the bewilderment in her eyes.
"Jilly, my name is Sandee, and I greet all the fuzzies who come to the Bridge. Do you know where you are?"
"I think I do," Jilly replied, looking up at the perfect clouds and beautiful blue sky, "It's a very beautiful place. And I feel so much better, now. I think I remember my hoomin Ian talking about this place. I wish he was here with me.."
"Ah, my sweet fuzzy, that is not something any of us have anything to say about. The Boss has all of us come here whenever he feels it is time. It is hard to understand, I know.."
"But what happened to me? I remember Ian, my hoomin, taking me to another hoomin who gave me a shot... I don't understand, why did he do that, and why didn't he come here with me? This doesn't make any sense."
I knew this was going to be very hard to explain. I wished the Boss made it so that fuzzies and hoomins could talk to each other in the Hoomin World, but that is not how he designed it. I suppose the Boss knows what he's doing, but it has always puzzled me. It would be so much easier if fuzzies and hoomins could explain things to each other. I would have to be the one to explain it to Jilly.
"You were a very sick fuzzy, Jilly. The other hoomin Ian took you to was a doctor for fuzzies like yourself, and he was hoping he could take your sickness away."
"But he did! He *did* take my sickness away. I feel so much better now!"
"No, Jilly.. he was not able to take your sickness away. It is only when you got here that the Boss took your sickness away."
"But I don't understand..."
"I know you don't, sweetie. The fuzzy doctor knew that he could not make you better, and did not want to see you in pain, so he gave you a shot that took your pain away. It is difficult to understand, but he gave you that shot because Ian loved you very much. I know it's hard to understand, but you have to try..."
"So, why didn't Ian come with me? Couldn't Ian come here to keep my company? I miss him so much..."
"Oh sweetie, you do not want Ian to come here for you, not quite yet. Trust me, Jilly, your hoomin Ian wants to see you as much as you want to see him, but it is not his time yet. Ian has other fuzzies he has to care for, and he has to finish out his purpose in the Hoomin World. That is how the Boss designed it, sweetie. I wish I could explain it better, but you are just going to have to try and understand the best you can. One day, Ian will come to see you, and you will see all the fuzzies you used to play with, too! But it can't be today, sweetie.. do you understand?"
Jilly sighed and looked at me.
"I don't know if I understand. All I know is that I miss Ian and my mates. I will have to figure all of this out, Sandee."
I stepped up to Jilly and put my arms around her and gave her a squeeze. She was crying a bit, and her tears wet my fur. But I knew she would eventually understand. It always takes new fuzzies some time to get used to the fact that they are somewhere else. It is not so easy for their hoomins, either.
"C''mon with me, Jilly. I have lots of stuff to show you. I want to show you your new hidey-hole. It's very nice, dark with lots of blankets, so when you want to take a nap you will be very comfortable. And food- we have all kinds of food here, and you can eat as much as you want! And there are so many new fuzzies here for you to play with while you wait for Ian. This will all help you feel better in time, Jilly."
I took Jilly's paw and lead her off the Bridge to show her her new home. She even smiled a bit, watching the birds play chase through the trees. I showed her the new hidey-hole the Boss made for her, complete with wonderful soft blankets. She was so excited that she took a dive right into her new hammy! Jilly yawned a few times, curled up and went to sleep. I left quietly, so as not to disturb her. Things would be all right... I knew they would. ;)
-Sandee Ferrit
