memorial for Benji

[jimpierce7]

Many more tears will fall for Benji in the future.
Sorrow and pain are not how I want to remember him. He has been such a bright light in my life I want to smile every time I think of him.
Did you know I almost gave him away a couple years ago?
I sure did. Not because I didn't want him around though.

On December 12th 2004 he was hatched. Six months before I brought him home.
I found him at Woodie's. He was there when I got Zoey. With all his brothers and sisters.
Kelly really liked the Lovebirds. She made it known. lol
June of '05 Kelly graduated from college and I went to Woodie's and there he was. The last Lovie in the store.
It had been about 4 months since he had been handled. That didn't matter to me as he was cool. The dude.
Benji was hard to handle for quite awhile. He was not real sure of humans. Stepping up was quite a chore for him.
He would step up and as soon as I moved, he would jump back on his perch. Petting him was not going to happen. Most ofter I had to reach in and get him out of his cage. This later became a favorite game of his. And mine.
He ate his little fruity pellets and loved them. He wanted to be buddies with Zoey but she wasn't having it.
I worked with him a lot, trying to get him to trust me. It just wasn't in him really. Not his style.
He stole my heart as well.
One fine afternoon while we were all out in the living room talking. The birds were out playing as well. He took off from his gym ( I was always lazy about clipping his wings) and he flew right to my step son's girl friend!!
Benji let her hold him and pet him!! We were all shocked. Amazed and over joyed.
I started to think maybe he would be more happy with her. Kelly and I discussed this and thought maybe..........
She decided that she just wasn't "feeling it" for my step son anymore and broke his heart.
Guess where Benji did not go? I am so so happy he stayed with us.
Two days later he flew to Kelly for the one and only time. lol He was such a card!!
Benji was always true to his nature. Always trying to befriend Zoey. It cost him a bite on the beak once, but he never stopped trying. Never.
About eight months after Benji came home, I got Sophie. I had a hell of a time keeping him away from her in the beginning. He wanted to meet her!
Many of you know how that went!!! I tell you, people gave me hell for letting him play with Sophie. "She is going to snap his neck!!" "Those Ekkies are eveil and will kill him!!"
They never met Sophie. Or Benji. lol I still think Sophie was trying to woo him. It was always such fun to watch. Benji would stand up to Sophie and she would back down. It was never rough though. Always sweet. Always.
A couple years ago now Cricket came home. Benji loved him fiercely. From the git go. I turned around and poof, Benji was visiting Cricket. That meant, in the end, every birdy got to go on meds to get rid of the bacteria Cricket brought home.
Benji and Cricket were left and right hand. Out of the cages it was rare they were apart. Except when Benji was off two timing with Sophie. Cricket is scared of the big red head.
They played, the foraged and they preened. What a joy it was to watch and play. They loved my feet.
I don't get it but Benji always made his way to sit on my foot. He would climb up my leg sometimes too just to sit. But not to be scritched!!
He liked to eat with me too.
You know? Benji never once bit anybody. Not once ever. He was always the sweetest boy.

And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance

a friend wrote that for me for Benji. I know its Garth and no he isn't the friend. lol
It rings so true. I thought "thats the song for his memorial slide show!!"
I changed my mind, it would just crush me too much each time I watch it.
I know a song I really wanted to use. Weiss Heim, by Rainbow. But I couldn't find a recording of it that my player could read and let me use.
The search was on. Then I found it. No words in a song I found really really fit what I had to say. And not be a heart crushing song anyway.
If you would like, please watch this 5 minute slide show of Benji's life. Too short. At least it was full.
None of the sad shots are used. Not sure I ever want to see them again.
When he passed, I held him in my hands. To my cheek. I felt the life slip from him. Threw the sorrow, I saw my last vision of Benji. The one that will be with me forever in my minds eye.
I am grateful for the time I had with Benji. I thank Creator for answering my prayers and ending his pain.
Some of you may recognize the melody I chose.......................

YouTube - Benji memorial

[gbird]

I have no words.....just tears. Love, love, love....in the end no matter how long or short a life is....if it isn't filled with love, it isn't a life.

Bless you Jim, and find peace knowing Benji is on your shoulder....just sitting.

[tabooh]

So sorry for your loss, xoxo!

[chirpy]

I'm so sorry for your loss but what a beautiful memorial. You have so many wonderful photos of him.
Fly free Benji x

[red192]

I can't watch the slide show yet. I teared up reading what you wrote. Before the day is over I will find it in me to watch his video. So glad you had him in your life and he had you in his.

[Tiffany]

That was a very wonderful and beautiful slide show Jim. Birdboard isn't going to be the same without all the cute and funny Benji stories. How is Kelly holding up? I know she must be upset. Give her and the rest of the flock a hug from me.

[Lori~D]

Sophie and Cricket are going to miss there little friend...

Benji was the candle that burned only half the time but twice as bright!

I so want that picture of them in the wreath toy - that really should be sent to BT

[red192]

Finally watched it and LOOOVED it! Now I don't feel so bad for taking so many photos of my gang. Because one day I know I will have to do that same thing. Rest In Peace little Guy!

[Alyx]

Jim I have no words to express my sorrow for you, the memorial is a beutiful tribute to a beutiful bird.

[kellywess]

Well, I was extremely hesitant to watch it, I started to cry before I clicked on the link. Happy I did though, wonderful pictures... the pics of Benji and Crickett in the wreath....aaaw. Its amazing how something so small can impact our lives in such a big way. Jim, I hope Kelly is fine and just want to say thanks for sharing the video with us.
Fly Free Benji!