The following is an account written by Timm Tripp of his experience on the day that Ben passed away. I wanted to include it here on my blog so I'll always have a copy of it and to be able to share these special words with all of you as well. Thank you Timm for preserving this experience so beautifully for me since I wasn't able to be there to experience it firsthand myself.
The Horse's Whisper
The moon was almost full last night. The light penetrated the tall Hemlock and Cedar trees surrounding the corral. If you looked out into the corral you could see patches of light illuminating the dusty ground. The day had been warm, but the marine air cooled the night. It was calm and quiet; a gentle breeze swayed the high branches on the trees. The horses quietly wandered between the patches of moonlight.
When I came upon Ben, Tom and Tyler had already been trying to get him on his feet. Ben was lying on his side, his nostrils had blood in them, his breathing was irregular and very labored. His mouth was open, his upper lip was pulled back exposing his teeth. He was hot and sweaty. Tyler stroked his neck and spoke words of encouragement, while Tom massaged his back and sides, pleading with Ben to be well.
Ben's legs had cuts on them. He made several attempts to get up, but he was too weak and could not get his back legs to move.
I stared into Ben's eye... it was bright and shiny, like a big polished black marble. His eye glistened and sparkled, there was an intense light emanating from deep inside the dark orb. Some say that the eye is the window to the soul. If that is true, I looked deep into Ben's soul and he into mine. For a brief moment I felt connected to Ben as he seemed to open up to accepting his fate. He stopped struggling and seemed to relax. He became still and his nostrils no longer pulsed with labored breathing. I could no longer detect any breath of air. His pulse slowed way down until we could not feel it at all. The spark of light in his eye dimmed and the polished surface dulled somewhat , like fog on glass. Suddenly a giant tear drop fell from his eye, flowing down along his nose and to the dusty ground, where is formed a small puddle.
The tear appeared to flow a the same time as his last breath gently left him, there was a sense of release at the moment Ben's spirit moved from his physical body to the unrestrained realm of space. Ben bared his soul to me...a stranger... the dignity, the courage, the loyalty, the beauty, the strength, the magnificence of this incredible being was released back into the world with his last tear and final breath. I did not feel Ben leaving...I felt him releasing his spirit... allowing it to flow out into the world, no longer bound by his physical nature... rather released to merge into light, life.
Ben's spirit soars through the tree tops joining the sun and moon and stars illuminating the day and night. Even his tear touched the earth, to nourish a seed that begins a new life cycle.
Thank you Ben for all that you have given us: Strength, courage, compassion, patience, love and light. Where ever we go when you feel a gentle breeze on your face, it just may be Ben whispering...
