What am I Doing Here?

Letting go of another friend.

There is a time when closure is important. I think that this is one of them.
I found out that a small friend passed away a week or so ago. When I say, "Small," I mean 'small.' This friend was special from the first time that I met her. She went to schools to visit and show what can happen in certain situations. She had one major illness that everyone in her friendship circle worked hard to help her through it. She was handicapped but never let it get her down. Whenever I went to her place she was the first to say 'hello.'
This friend was named Webster or called Webbie. She was a duck who lead a very strange life. When she was a baby, someone kept her in a bathtub and fed her only bread. This is not good for ducks or their development. In her situation, her wings never developed. She had feathers but the wings were only about two inches long.
When this person got tired of her, she was abandoned in a pond among other ducks. Thank heavens she could swim. But this person never cared to read about the social life of ducks. It seams that if you introduce a single female to a group, the males might and usually do try to drown her by holding her under the water. She was trying to escape when someone came by and noticed her predicament. They got her out of the lake and took her to the TWRC or wildlife center where everyone took to her immediately. Her wonderful personality made her the spokes-duck of the center. She visited schools to show kids and not so well meaning adults that if you get a baby duck/duckling that they must have the proper food and environment to thrive. In other words don't get a baby animal of any kind if you are not prepared and willing to do the right thing for it.
The person who told me about Webster's death said that she lived about 11 years which is not bad. Her last year she had one major illness and with many medical experts and the people at TWRC caring for her, progressed to good health.
But one morning, when the first person opened up TWRC, found her down because of a stroke. I guess it did not take many phone calls or whatever but the best thing was to let her go. She would not want to be cared for or have maybe another stroke and be in pain before someone could let her out of more pain.
She went peacefully and surrounded by everyone who gave her their last words of love.
I just wish that I could have said good-bye but that is what I am doing now. I am very fond of animals as you can tell of my many entries of animals. Webster was beautiful inside as well as outside to me. Today when I went to TWRC to find out about a possum that my dogs caught, is when I found out about Webster's passing. The place did feel strangely empty. People were doing their things for other animals which is good, but I am sure that there is a small empty place that will always be saved for their little friend and mascot. I am sure that when they look at other ducks that they will remind them of Webster.
I will miss you Webster, but I know that you are in a nice place with other feathered friends. You will be walking around or maybe flying with normal wings and eating the juciest worms that heaven has for ducks. I'll be looking for you in some of my dreams and maybe feel your love when I see other ducks in a park.
Good-bye and God bless you!