08/26/2025
Grief: Grief is such a part of life. We all experience loss in a unique way— it is a journey we must walk alone in many ways, and also with the support of faith, family, and friends.
My family taught messages that tended to be to deny and avoid , “buck it up and be tough” — “pull up your bootstraps” and “carry on” .🥲
This never works as grief will build up, and grief often will manifest as physical and emotional issues particularly depression, anger and heart problems.
Over the years, in helping rear grandchildren, I learned much from them and I appreciate and treasure each one with all my heart.
Now, at age 74, I reflect about how much I learned from my tiny but mighty chihuahua, Chico. As a child I loved all living things but as loss occurred over and over I hardened my heart by limiting my love in an attempt to prevent future hurt from loss.
Chico, who recently died at age 15, broke through my “heart guard” teaching me to let go of fear and just love him. I never had a pet that lived even a year before Chico. He was a true surviver— the unwanted runt of the litter, attacked by big dogs multiple times, he ate rat poison twice, was accidentally stepped on or dropped numerous times by little kids and big dogs ( anything over 5 pounds) . Once even a squirrel taunted, teased, and attacked him. He stayed strong and true to his calling as a therapy dog, struggling to cross my office to try to comfort a distresses veteran even in his last dying day. He died peacefully in his sleep with some awesome friends, Lisa and Ray. I had to be gone for a Lifewave training and the McMillans kept him. We agreed upon a plan as we could tell he was in the dying process. After working with Hospice as a social worker, I knew that sometimes loved ones won’t let go of life in the presence of their people. We prayed Chico would die peacefully in his sleep in my absence and he did.
Now three weeks later, I am learning to accept grief as it comes in spurts.
For those of you have never let a pet steal your heart, this may sound trivial. And for all of us who have lost a person ( as have I) , please know that I acknowledge the greatness of that grief.
I share this to say that your grief is unique and important to you— not to be compared with anyone else.
I encourage you to acknowledge and sit with your feelings, no matter how long ago the losses were.
Then release the sadness and anger, recall the good memories, reach out to your support system and hold on to hope.
My hope commeth in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If you do not know Him personally, seek and you shall find. May peace and comfort envelop you today.
