Grief

This story is about loyalty, courage, resilience, companionship and total acceptance. It's about a four legged creature who taught us how to love again. 

Oscar came into my life at a moment of transition. My son, Daniel and I had brought him home from Philadelphia a couple of days after my divorce was signed. It was clear that we needed to start a new chapter in our lives. Oscar signified that beginning. 

Full of life, love, playfulness and empathy, he required the attention a new puppy demands. We turned toward him in our hour of need as we let go of life as we knew it.

His endearing heart washed away our tears as this precious puppy helped us to create a new sense of family. 

Oscar became an integral part of our emerging new family and gave us the joy we needed to move on from our sadness.

As a grief counselor, I encourage others to continue to live life fully, in the fullness of grieving. This is at the core of my beliefs about healing. And now, in this moment, I am living out what I counsel others to do, and feeling first hand the powerful connection between the two.  

There is grief for what has already been lost; the parts of life that cannot be lived any longer, like going for walks together, or watching him run or even play. And then there is anticipatory grief for what is to come. 

Death is imminent. And as I try to enjoy the time that we have left, my awareness of life’s transience is on top of me. How finite it is, how real this feels.

My dream...

Jackie Levi Coach, Grief Councelor

To have more time….a few more days, weeks and even years. 

That the impending void will never come. 

That Oscar will live on with us forever.

Ten years from when our new puppy first arrived, our beloved Oscar is now fading. As loving and connected to us and as alert as he so recently was, he is now unable to even move.

My dream….. is to prolong our goodbye for as long as he is not suffering. I want him to feel that we are here with him. I want him to feel our love and gratitude for what he has meant in our lives. 

As I watch you fade my sweet friend, I’m hoping that you know how much you gave to us. You will stay in our hearts.

We will never forget you Oscar. 

Comments…

We are all touched deeply by loss and what it means. Our pets are no exception. They are family. 

But beyond a loving memory, the loss of someone in our human family can trigger an even more profound opportunity for healing. Whether close or not, loss brings to the surface many “meaning of life” questions that can change our trajectory going forward. 

Standing in the void that is left can be one of the most creative and important times in our lives. As you can see, Jackie understands loss and the need to heal. But where do you go from there?

If you need support Contact Jackie