The Other Side
Dozer’s favorite seat–hubby’s lap
When someone we love dies, it’s probably the hardest thing we ever have to deal with. And yet the transition is inevitable. And since everyone we know is going to leave sooner or later, and a good percentage of them will go before we take that journey ourselves, it’s a really good idea to get a solid grasp on what this transition is, what it means, where they’ve “gone,” and how we can still interact with them.
The big mistake we make is avoiding the subject entirely until we’re in the midst of it, and so overwhelmed by grief and loss and despair we can’t find our way out. We can’t find understanding easily from those places. But if the understanding is pre-existing, we have a safety net. We still grieve, but we don’t plummet into a pit never to emerge.
Why this topic now?
I know. It’s spring, new life is all around us, and sunshine and joy and life. But just as the Veil Between the Worlds is at its thinnest at Samhain, (around November 7th) it is also thinnest at Beltane (May Day.) On the Wheel of the Year, Beltane and Samhain are opposite ends of the same spoke. People who want to transition find it easier to do so at these times. All of us on both sides find it easier to communicate with them at these times. Although with practice and awareness, interaction can happen all year long.
My own awareness of this subject was reactivated with the passing of my beautiful English Mastiff, Dozer two weeks ago. Words cannot express what an amazing being he was and is. My tribute to him is in my author newsletter. You can read it via the link without subscribing, and if you like it there’s a sign up link in every issue.Tribute to Dozer Issue