“Earth has one angel less and heaven one more, since yesterday.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
Despite the deep pain it elicits, loss teaches us about the delicate balance, intensity, and richness of life. We cannot experience the pain of loss without first having experienced the joys associated with what has been lost. In the movie Shadowlands, poet Joy Gresham, in speaking about her impending death to author C. S. Lewis, expresses, “The greater the love, the deeper the sorrow and the longer it will take to work through it. That’s the deal.” Simply, ...the heartbreak that wounds us most deeply eventually leads us to greater enlightenment, blessing our lives with a more spiritual depth of life. Share on X
As I embrace the untimely death of my beloved soul dog, Cammi, I feel both a great love and a deep sorrow in my heart. However, that is the “deal” when I consciously entered into a loving relationship here on earth with her. Through our heart-centered connection, I am reminded that our relationship transcends the physical and energetically resides in the sacred space of soul. I can best love, honor and respect our soulful connection by transforming my grief into love. Moreover, I can channel the energy unleashed by her death by putting her powerful light to positive use. One way is to let that divine energy as love pour out to those I care for, whose friendships I cherish and to the betterment of humanity.
The loss of Cammi or any deep loss breaks open our hearts; hence, we feel “broken-hearted.” As painful as it is, being broken-hearted is the way for us to connect to love and what is deepest within us. It allows us to embrace what we hold dear. Within the center of our grief, we discover what is most precious to us. For me that is being a loving presence.
Our heartbreak also connects us to the collective loss we have experienced in our lives and reveals wounds that are not healed. It gives us the opportunity to release our unresolved pain. Like stripping away layers of paint to reveal handcrafted woodwork, we can peel away the layers of pain through transforming it into something exquisite…into love.
Acknowledging the positive side to loss doesn’t numb the pain for it’s the pain itself that breaks us open to deeper love and spiritual healing. The pain lets us know that life is fragile and we must take precious care of ourselves-to sit with our feelings until they release before we move on. Time may ease the pain of loss, but it’s being fully present with your heartbreak that opens us to self-healing and personal transformation. So we must be gentle, kind and compassionate with ourselves as we transform our pain into a loving vibration for a higher good. We will emerge on the other side of our pain stronger and lighter for all we have experienced.
Transforming our loss into love allows us to let go of the past, better appreciate the present and harness this energy to create a more positive future. It challenges us to embrace these natural life cycles as a series of births and deaths that ultimately lead to our spiritual progression. It begs the question: “How will I live?” As Henri Frederic Amiel states, “Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” Through Cammi’s example of unconditional love, I can become a more kind and compassionate partner, a more patient and loving parent, a more attentive and devoted friend and a more tolerant and accepting human being. I can channel my loss into healing our world of racism, abuse, and hatred. As she resonated love with her presence, I can be a resonating field of energy through my thoughts, words and actions. I can become a love activist in our love-starved world.
Embracing our loss permits us to face and experience the other side of grief, which is the unconditional love and trust of ourselves. Share on X This pure love and trust empowers us to let go and lean into our emotional pain and create a monumental shift in our lives.
My dear sweet Cammi, You’ll be forever with me as a paw print on my heart.
i am so very sorry for your loss. Having gone through my own heartbreak of losing my Edgar the Wonder Dog last year, I just want to wrap you in one big ginormous hug.
xxxxoooo
Peggy
My dear sweet Peggy…thank you for your kind words of support and your ginormous hug. I know how much you loved Edgar the Wonder dog and understand the depth of love for our furry companions. I remember you beautiful blog about him and you give me love and great comfort. Blessings and hugs back atcha dear friend
Heartbreak, while painful, gives us the chance to cry tears of joy for the experience of love we shared. I’ve gone through that grieving/healing cycle many times — most recently, last fall when I lost my beloved collie, Toby.
My fur-babies stay with me always, just as Cammi will stay with you. Sending you lots of healing energy, my friend… xoxo
Thank you Sheila for your kind and loving words. I remember when I read you post about Toby last fall right after Cammmi was diagnosed with cancer. It touched me deeply and prepared me for this moment of grief. Our fur babies do stay with us as paw prints on our hearts. I’m grateful for all the loving energy too Blessings and love
Sending you big hugs and love as although I haven’t had a pet for a while i understand how you must be feeking from my previous experiences. Take care of those paw prints
Thank you Suzie for reaching out to me with love and kindness. It is truly appreciated at a time of such sadness…blessings
I’m so sorry for the loss of you precious Cammi. Thank you for sharing your insights and lessons learned from the grief. My thoughts will be with you and your family during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Marianne
Thank you Marianne for you kind words of support. And thank you for being a beacon of love and hope in your work healing pet loss. We need you! Blessings
Oh Debra – I am so sorry for your loss of Cammi. She is forever in your heart and your thoughts on how to channel the unconditional love that she provided are wonderful. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your wisdom! xo
Thank you Kimberly for you kindness and support. Best way to channel grief is through love. Blessings
Debra, I know this pain as well & can truly empathize with what you are feeling. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for such a beautiful article. It is timely, as I have a dear friend who lost her dog today. I will share your article with her. XO
Thank you Stacey for your kind words of love and support…I am deeply touched that you would share this article with your friend. Blessings
“Within the center of our grief, we discover what is most precious to us.” Beautifully said.
And sending light to you and Cammi. I suspect she and my “Bear-man” will find one another soon.
Thank you Debra for your love and support. Yes Cam Cam and Bear-man will find each other and walk as twin souls of love. Blessings and love
Debra this is a beautiful heart felt article on your loss of Cammi. Turning grief into love as you said is the best way to honor and respect our soulful connections. The loss of a pet is heartbreaking. Big Hugs from my heart to yours. xo
You are truly a “love activist,” Debra. Always and forever. Dear Cammi–so blessed to have been with you and such blessings she is still offering. Wrapping you in arms of light and sending you big love.
Thank you Laurie for your sweet and kind support. with Cammi’s energy by my side I can be a love activist in a world that so desperately needs it!
Much love energetically for both you and your beloved Cammi. Much love, Natasha
Thank you Natasha for reaching out to me with love and support. Blessings
Once I learned that there is always a gift in even the most nefarious circumstance, it liberated me to embrace even those darkest moments of loss. There is a gift, are Blessings in the Mire. The gift in the loss of a loved one, whether of a beloved pet and companion or human connections, is raw love.
As a woman who has survived the loss of a child, I found that my blessing is to feel a love, the depths of which many will never feel. Loss brings love front and center. And when the pain subsides, all that remains is love. And truly, isn’t love all that truly matters in this experience of life?
Many blessings to you as your heart heals.
Much love,
Jan
Wow Jan your words touch me me deeply from someone who has walked with loss along her life’s journey. thank you for your strength of vulnerability and your loving presence. Blessings
What a beautiful tribute and shining light for Cammi’s life celebration. I can feel the love in your words and how each one builds a passageway to higher understanding of just how special relationships truly are. I bow in respect to dear Cammi and her work done while she was here. I know you will always hold her special presence with you. Love and peace always, my friend.
thank you sweet Kellie for you kind words of love and support. She was my dear soul friend and now walks in spirit beside me. Blessings
I am so sorry to hear you had to say goodbye to your beautiful Cammi girl. Sending you lots of extra love and heart healing wishes.
Thank you sweet Shann your love and support fill my heart. I am filling the space in my heart with love…this helps so much