I read this quote yesterday in an article in the Sept/Oct 2006 Spirituality & Health:
"Those who have suffered heartbreaking loss join the vast brotherhood and sisterhood of those who have been fired in the crucible of deep sorrow."
I love the image of the brotherhood and sisterhood of loss and the crucible of deep sorrow. It reminded me of this beautiful poem by Guatemalan poet Julia Esquivel:
The Sigh
When it is necessary
to drink so much pain.
When the river of anguish
drowns us.
When we have wept many tears
and they flow like rivers
from our sad eyes,
only then
does the deep hidden sigh of
our neighbor become our own.
-Julia Esquivel
Last January I went away for a week of silent retreat to Saltspring Island, BC with Duke and made a series of collages, the simple one above is on lament.
-Christine Valters Paintner
Dear Christine,
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you from a fellow dog lover,
Songbird
Oh, Christine,
I am a fellow traveler on this road of grief this week. My brother's beloved dog was euthanized last monday and I was there with them. Ours was not sudden. We had time to prepare. Or so we thought. But really, death is abrupt, even when it is expected.
Please know my prayers are with you. Maybe Duke and Bumpus will meet up in the lovely darkness.
R
Thank you Songbird and welcome Rachel. So sorry to hear that you too had to deal with the loss of a furry companion. Yes, even with time to "prepare" death still takes its toll. Thank you for that wonderful closing image. Prayers for you and your family too.
Blessings, Christine