My beloved cat, Coda, died last year. While I experienced great sorrow, his death (as did his life) has given me great gifts.
Coda came into my life 14 years ago, during one of the most difficult times of my life. He was a constant loving companion. I could always count on his presence to bring me comfort, or to simply increase the joy I was already feeling.
I was scared about how I would handle his death, and it turned out to be mind-blowingly painful. Yet in letting myself feel the pain, without trying to stifle it, or to judge myself for it, I received profound gifts.
People came out of the woodwork to do what they could to ease my pain. It is not easy to see someone you love in such grief. Yet they offered to walk with me a little to give what comfort they could. Bless their souls.
I realized that the pain in my heart I felt because of my cat’s passing, was simply the loss of being able to love him. The love we feel for any person or creature we have lost is OUR love, and cannot be taken away. That love is ours, and we can choose to give it to ourselves.
I truly believe when our hearts are broken wide open by a loss, we can let love, including our own, in deeper. Quite a gift indeed.
Even in death, Coda continues to open my heart. Thank you my furry little buddy, from the depths of my soul.