RIP WILLEM 1982-2003

[B]ONLY THE BEST

God saw you and you were getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So he put His arms around you
and He whispered “come to me”
A golden heart stopped beating
Hard working hooves went to rest
God brok our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best[/B]

I had the best horse in the world. As I said to my dear friend Canyonoak, there is no heaven if it is without horses, and by having them in our lives all the time it is like heaven on earth. To have had this wonderful dear old horse in my live was heaven on earth, each and every day.

To be surrounded by my darling friends like Pinkerdo and Marie and Millie, and my family, when he passed was a gift from all of them. To both of us.

To go out covered with HAPPY BIRTHDAY was his reminder to all of us that it was a beginning for him, not an end.

Each and every one of you, thank you so much for everything. Willem told me to mare sure that there was a new horse in his house very soon, that there was too much love in that house for it to be empty. He was right.

I didn’t think it would be possible to get through a day without Willem. What a wonderful gift that nature has given us, to be able to have such magnificent creatures in our lives. But now that I have made it through the first day, I’m picturing him up there kickin’ around with his friends from the barn who have passed before him, Billy and Tiny and Andre and Tanowen and Mac and Dixie and all of his other pals. None of them hurt, none of them are in pain. I’m sure it’s quite a party.

I told the stables that I would be keeping my stall. There is another horse out there who I have to give all this love to. Willem wanted that.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

You are in our thoughts. I’m so sorry.

In many ways, we all owned a little piece of Willem, and the sense of loss, for a horse I have never seen in person, is almost as great as the day I lost my own.

Thank you, Coreene, for Willem and all he has meant for me, and for everyone here.

Know you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

With sincerest sympathy,

Joanne

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

I just read the Big Man’s final “posts” from this weekend (I was computer-less starting last Thursday night) and I’m just tearing up again at the office.

Here’s a good one from him. He even quotes from “Mommy Dearest” and that part cracked me up!

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I haff had der honest talk a-bout this mit Coreene und I haff sayed that wenn I don’t nott to want to do this no more, like iffen I don’t nott to get better, I say to her “This it be der end,” und then I get medikation wot it send me to wunnerful place where they don’t nott to haff no Cushings und lame-o-niceness und cancer und stuff und things. I haff nice Oma there, wot she be Coreene her grandma, und then I see peoples like Dee Dee a-gain.

Aber I hope this it don’t nott to happen yet becose I loff it here und I don’t nott to want to go no-where midout ein VERRIE MUY GIGANTO FIGHT.

Der be der part in der movie wot it be “Mommie Dearest” wenn Joan Crawford she look at table mit Pepsi-Cola herr executives und she bark “DON’T NOTT TO EFF MIT ME, FELLAS!” und this I haff telled mein feets.

Und zo I hope they listen. If it be meant to be, they listen to me.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am so so sorry. It really feels like a member of the family is gone.

Willem, you were loffed by so many.

{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}} Coreene

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hotpony222:
I’m sorry But I’m soo confused, isn’t Willem a poster on this BB?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I remember when I first found COTH, I thought Willem was a person too…it took my asking at another board to find out that Willem was such a gorgeous horse.

He will be so greatly missed.

As Louise mentioned, here’s a link to the thread on UDBB: http://www.ultimatedressage.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=25202

Willem was a true legend.

>^.,.^<

~Forget love… I’d rather fall in chocolate!~

Oh no! I am in shock! I am so so sorry for your loss Coreene. But now Willem is where he can eat ice-cream all day long and watch over his favorite schatzis and Irish-drinking friends. He will always be remembered in our hearts.

~Sarah~

~Disgruntled College Students Clique~Georgia Clique~Junior Clique (Can I please still be a member?? )~ Buckle Bunnies

HUGS TO YOU! I am so sorry for your loss. The time you spent together was not long enough, but we all will see him when our time comes to walk over the Rainbow Bridge and there waiting will be Willem, Babs, Dublin, and all the animals who we have jingled for.

Why be good when you have the potential to be better?
~Alberta Lee Cox~

Coreene, thank you for sharing your Willem with us - thank you.

'I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night ”" amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours ”" always. Always. And if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

… Do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.’ -Sullivan Ballou

‘O lente, lente currite noctis equi’ - Ovid

Coreene, I am so sorry. Willem was true BB Icon- he was truly my favorite poster, and I could always count on him to lighten my day. He was in a class of his own. He was always clever and humorous. I’m afraid, however, that I’ll never really understand how you feel, because I never got to meet him live. Willem will never be forgetten

I would also like to send my condolences. I’m sure he was greatful for your love, friendship and partnership over the years.

Jingles, Meg

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

[B]For A Little While

I’ll lend you for a little while
my grandest foal, he said.
For you to love while he’s alive,
and morn for when he’s dead.

It may be one or twenty years,
or days or months, you see.
But, will you, till I take him back
take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you,
and should his stay be brief
you’ll have treasured memories
as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return.
But, there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over
in my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes
with trust I have selected you.

Now will you give him your total love?
Nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come
to take him back again?

I know you’ll give him tenderness
and love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you’ve known
forever-grateful stay.

But should I come and call for him
much sooner than you’d planned
you’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
and someday you’ll understand. [/B]

I am so very sorry for your ( & Our) loss. You both were blessed to have each other and as a result we all got to reap the benefits! Thanks for sharing.

There are threads mourning Willem’s passing on both the Booger Board, and on Ultimate Dressage. That doesn’t happen very often, even with people. Willem touched so many lives, and I think we will never grasp the extent of his influence.

More ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))) from me this morning, my dear, brave Coreene.

This too, shall pass.

This thread took so long to load because of the loff we had for Willem and have for you, Coreene. Thank you for sharing him with us. Please know we are all here for you. I am so sorry…The words are not working right now.

“B***h in training”

Correene,

Thank you for sharing Willem with us. He was wonderful and will be greatly missed.

Cheryl

So sorry for your loss

we loffed you Willem

Bless you Coreene

“www.lechevalfrancais.com”

Oh, Coreene, I am so, so sorry. This has to be one of the hardest things in the whole world.

Willem was so lucky to have you.

(((((((((( ))))))))))

Oh FatLilPony, thank you for posting that from the Velveteen Rabbit - truly one of my favorite books, and I still cry when I read it (at the age of 20 - I can’t believe I just admitted that!).

Ave atque vale, Willem - hail and farewell.

‘O lente, lente currite noctis equi’ - Ovid

If only every horse owner had the courage you have, Coreene, to fight the fights that need to be fought, and then to accept the inevitable and let our friends go on in peace and love.

Prozac Pony and his friends will have extra karroten this evening for Willem.

Approved helmet: Every ride; every time.