Posted by Mary on June 18, 2009
Healing Pup
I’ve been reading and working on “This Thing Called Grief – New Understandings of Loss” by Thomas M. Ellis, the book and the center he directs in St. Paul was recommended by my friend Leslye. As I let go of the daily work I was doing to close out my sister’s affairs I begin to rest, reflect and rebuild my life after loss. Being kind to myself and creating beauty around me meant doing some much needed gardening, adding plants, pulling weeds, replacing grass and admiring my gigantic hostas makes me smile. I won’t mislead you I’m not a real gardener but every little bit has been an improvement and I have found a profound sense of joy and peace as I stoop, bend and get my hands dirty bringing color and beauty to my yard.
In March we added a new member to our family and this little guy has provided a lot of love and comfort for us during the past several weeks. “Buttons” is a rescue poodle that I aquired from Picket Fence Poodles in Elk River, he had a history of being abandoned but we found he was a perfect fit for us and our family is now complete.
So my friends I share a couple of things that can add joy and peace during your healing journey, taking a step at a time I listen to music, admire art, read poetry and write in my journal and of course being with family and friends will help you mend.
Blessings,
Mary
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Posted by Mary on April 2, 2009
I dropped my little dog off to be groomed today for the first time, some of you are aware that I took in a rescue poodle, a tiny toy male at 3.6 lbs. We’ve had him for a month now and it’s been a wonderful addition to our family, I’d forgotten the unconditional love you get from a small pet. It’s been a joy to have this lively little dog in our lives as we care for him, play with him and watch him make us laugh. We’ve also had the unexpected joy of running to the emergency Vet Clinic after hours and adding extra Dr. exams as we “remember” what it’s like to be responsible for a tiny little life but it’s worth it, the joy, the laughter and the sense of wonder at life’s blessings.
It helps me to remember life’s gifts in the mist of my own personal disappointments. As I listen to the news or hear personal stories from friends and family as they try to balance and make sense out of difficult situations, job loss, putting homes up for sale, spending down retirement funds and just trying to make ends meet I’m too embarrassed to acknowledge any personal defeats. Everyone else has burdens that somehow seem bigger than mine and I’m constantly reminded as someone tentatively asks for my help with some personal matter, how can I say “No?” At times like these I think about my Dad, I miss him on Sundays when my husband and I took him out for breakfast, he liked to go early before the fancy Sunday brunch crowd. My Dad loved to laugh, he was a WWII veteran, a POW for over 3 years and survived the Bataan Death March, when I think of the stories he shared over the years and the joy for life that he had it’s hard to feel sorry for myself. Dad was a “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” kind of guy; when he died last September we had lots of wonderful memories, he left a lot of friends and family behind. Dad always believed in Hope – that there was always something better just waiting for you around the corner and if you worked hard enough it would all pay off.
So for today Dad, I’m going to think about my small disappointment as a place holder, creating space for something more wonderful that’s just around the corner. What about you, are you looking at what space is opening up for you in your life and what that means? I got an email from a friend this morning that said due to the economy they are putting their home in Florida up for sale and moving back to Minnesota and my response was a resounding “HURRAH!” Well, Hurrah for me and my friends as we open our arms to welcome her back to our loving fold no matter what the reason.
Eternally Optimistic,
Mary
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