walking the sacred spiral
walking the sacred spiral
On March 5 of 2012, I posted a blog about grieving. We had said goodbye to our dog, Morgan, in January, and unbeknownst to me at that time, would be saying another goodbye to one of our cats, Pie, later in May. Having always had three pets, my spouse, Amanda, and I were quickly in the unfamiliar position of being a single cat household. Just us and Ben.
Ben was a tiny kitten when he came to our country home in Freestone, California in 2002. Three days ago, we released him from his 14 ½ year-old body. We had taken him into the veterinary hospital for cancer surgery, but it was quickly determined from the CT results that the cancer had advanced too much for surgery to be successful.
We went to be with him without having the vet bring him out of anesthesia from the CT scan. We stroked his body and told him what a good kitty he had been. We kissed his little head and kept our hands on his body as our kind veterinary oncology surgeon released him. Everyone was very kind to us.
I think that we’re grieving the passing of all three of our pets now that there are none of our own here any longer to divert our attention from that feeling of loss.
In the past, I think I have not taken sufficient time to be with my own grief. I busied myself with work or showered attention on our other pets. This time I’ve decided it’s okay. I can be with my fuzzy brain and my lack of motivation to do things or be with people and just let myself be.
About 100 times a day I think of Ben as I pass places at home where he used to nap, or recognize habits I developed to accommodate his needs and mine. These things are no longer necessary, and that is both a relief and a source of sadness.
Other times when I think of Ben, I suspect it’s when a moment of comfort is sent from his little soul to mine.
I do believe when loved ones go on that they remain aware of us and do all they can to offer comfort to those in grief during the early days following their transition. I can’t swear that’s true–for people, or animals–but I believe it, anyway.
If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one, or someone you love is in the process of their own transition, I suggest you read all you can about near-death experiences and life following the death of the physical body.
Someone recently gifted me with two books that have given me new information to consider that you can also explore, if you like:
Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives, and Destiny of Souls: New Cases Studies of Life Between Lives, both by Michael Newton.
We are all experiencing our human lives, learning and growing, making mistakes and discoveries, expanding our souls. This life is meaningful and important to our souls–even the painful parts of it, and perhaps even especially the painful parts.
So rather than avoiding the sadness that grieving brings, give it some space. Be quiet and open to the love energy pouring into you from beyond form. Because it’s always there.
Thank you, Ben. And thank you, Morgan and Pie. Your love is welcome and appreciated. Run, play, romp and enjoy! We love you so.
(P.S. I know the photo spacing looks weird on some browsers, but it’s necessary for some others.)
And the Love Goes On...
Sunday, January 15, 2017