Thank you for that poignant story of your Rowan's life and of your loss. These beautiful creatures are such great teachers, letting us know when it's time to say goodbye. Having been through many of these moments with fur babies, they still do not stop me from loving another one at the right time. Blessings for 2023.
Beautiful, poignant post regarding your Rowan's passing. As a former hospice, now hospital chaplain through the pandemic, and a mom of four-legged kids that left way before we are ready, it is a journey of love, surrender and hope; hope that despite the grief there may be room in our hearts to love again.
I didn't see this on Sunday. It hit home because of the failing health of our oldest dog, Sallie. It also brought back memories of the passing of our dog, Theo. In our human family, we cared for our parents as they aged and then passed. Now, as my wife and I age, we begin looking forward to our time of transitioning. There is sadness in these thoughts, but also wonder and some anticipation.
Thank you for blessing us with your writing, Diana.
We had to say our goodbyes to our oldest cat, Phoebe, a couple of months ago. A couple of weeks later I was at a writing workshop where I was introduced to a text by Mary Louise Bringle written expressly for the loss of a pet. Just a couple of verses:
Thank you Diana for sharing this painful loss. Your words always inspire life where I need it. I am moved by Rowan's great Love and your families love for Rowan.
I SO DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR WRITINGS. ESPECIALLY THIS ONE. I REMEMBER BRINGING OUR DOG JAZZ TO THE VET AFTER A MOTORCYCLE HIT HIM. AND WE STOOD BY AND HUGGED HIM AS HE WAS CAEFULLY PUT TO DSEATH TO AVOID ANYMORE PAIN. IT WAS A TIME WE HADNT EXPECTED YET IT WAS A TIME FOR LOVE AND GRIEF. YOUR SHARING ABOUT TIME HERE IS VERY ENLIGHTENING AND OPENS ALOT F REFLECTIONS BY ME. TED
and then, when I had felt their little body relax, and held them in my arms for just the right time, injected the red medicine that sent them gently across the Rainbow Bridge. That is a place beloved by cat lovers who have had to say goodbye, for a while. I know I will meet Mimi, Oscar and Rosie in heaven, because it would not be heaven without them there. And it gives me great comfort to envision my late husband, who loved the kitties too, crossing the Rainbow Bridge and being greeted with joy by each of them, especially Rosie, whom he cherished.
Now to turn to my question about the phrase from Isaiah. Since you are fluent in Hebrew, can you read it in a way that has the [Messiah] with his breath transforming the wicked into the children of God that they were created to be. In other words, killing the evil but not the evil-doer? (As a former evangelical I am sure you have encountered the phrase about hating the sin not the sinner.)
Hit the button too soon. I wanted to type the words before I forgot them, but I wanted to thank you for this beautiful Advent message. And to express my sorrow for your loss of your beloved pet. I have held two different cats in my arms at the vets as she first injected the iv medicine to tranquilize them
This touched my heart. With the loss of my Dad last year, it has been a tough year intertwining the loss with the gratefulness for my Dad’s role in my life. And my rescue Schnauzer, Muffin has been the best. She will be 16 the 16th of this month and has been my steadfast companion through this along with my cancer journey as well as other tough matters. We are beyond blessed to have been allowed to have these gifts of God for the time we had them. And we are better for having loved deeply and loss so profoundly. Gos bless you all during this time.
Thank you for that poignant story of your Rowan's life and of your loss. These beautiful creatures are such great teachers, letting us know when it's time to say goodbye. Having been through many of these moments with fur babies, they still do not stop me from loving another one at the right time. Blessings for 2023.
Beautiful, poignant post regarding your Rowan's passing. As a former hospice, now hospital chaplain through the pandemic, and a mom of four-legged kids that left way before we are ready, it is a journey of love, surrender and hope; hope that despite the grief there may be room in our hearts to love again.
I didn't see this on Sunday. It hit home because of the failing health of our oldest dog, Sallie. It also brought back memories of the passing of our dog, Theo. In our human family, we cared for our parents as they aged and then passed. Now, as my wife and I age, we begin looking forward to our time of transitioning. There is sadness in these thoughts, but also wonder and some anticipation.
Thank you for blessing us with your writing, Diana.
Beautiful.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection.
We had to say our goodbyes to our oldest cat, Phoebe, a couple of months ago. A couple of weeks later I was at a writing workshop where I was introduced to a text by Mary Louise Bringle written expressly for the loss of a pet. Just a couple of verses:
So great a love we learn from their lives,
Love free of judgment, lavishly dared;
Wordless devotion, simple and pure,
Deep joys and sorrows shared.
So great a love enfolds them in death,
Holds them in memory, comforts our grief,
Till new creation springs from the Word,
Bidding our wild belief.
Thank you Diana for sharing this painful loss. Your words always inspire life where I need it. I am moved by Rowan's great Love and your families love for Rowan.
Such a beautiful story about a beloved member of your family and juxtaposition with this week’s readings. I am sorry for your loss of dear Rowan.
I was given your piece on Mary Magdalene. Thank you for it, and thank you for these profound reflections.
I SO DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR WRITINGS. ESPECIALLY THIS ONE. I REMEMBER BRINGING OUR DOG JAZZ TO THE VET AFTER A MOTORCYCLE HIT HIM. AND WE STOOD BY AND HUGGED HIM AS HE WAS CAEFULLY PUT TO DSEATH TO AVOID ANYMORE PAIN. IT WAS A TIME WE HADNT EXPECTED YET IT WAS A TIME FOR LOVE AND GRIEF. YOUR SHARING ABOUT TIME HERE IS VERY ENLIGHTENING AND OPENS ALOT F REFLECTIONS BY ME. TED
What a beautiful commentary! Thank you.
The best Advent reflection. Thank you Diana!
and then, when I had felt their little body relax, and held them in my arms for just the right time, injected the red medicine that sent them gently across the Rainbow Bridge. That is a place beloved by cat lovers who have had to say goodbye, for a while. I know I will meet Mimi, Oscar and Rosie in heaven, because it would not be heaven without them there. And it gives me great comfort to envision my late husband, who loved the kitties too, crossing the Rainbow Bridge and being greeted with joy by each of them, especially Rosie, whom he cherished.
Now to turn to my question about the phrase from Isaiah. Since you are fluent in Hebrew, can you read it in a way that has the [Messiah] with his breath transforming the wicked into the children of God that they were created to be. In other words, killing the evil but not the evil-doer? (As a former evangelical I am sure you have encountered the phrase about hating the sin not the sinner.)
Thank you so much for all you do!
Hit the button too soon. I wanted to type the words before I forgot them, but I wanted to thank you for this beautiful Advent message. And to express my sorrow for your loss of your beloved pet. I have held two different cats in my arms at the vets as she first injected the iv medicine to tranquilize them
“With the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked
This touched my heart. With the loss of my Dad last year, it has been a tough year intertwining the loss with the gratefulness for my Dad’s role in my life. And my rescue Schnauzer, Muffin has been the best. She will be 16 the 16th of this month and has been my steadfast companion through this along with my cancer journey as well as other tough matters. We are beyond blessed to have been allowed to have these gifts of God for the time we had them. And we are better for having loved deeply and loss so profoundly. Gos bless you all during this time.