Today’s card reminds me of a quote by Christopher Crowfield aka Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is inevitable that we must all face death. No matter who you are, you have suffered loss. Some of believe our loved ones will move on to another place or another life. But this isn’t about their dying or even our dying. It’s about missed chances.
“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.” Little Foxes, 1865
For me, the death of an animal companion can bite as sharply and as deeply as the death of a human companion. I know this is not so for others. There is no discernible difference for me when I grieve. What makes it harder or easier is my own feeling of “wrapping things up.” Have I had time to tell them what they mean to me? Have I had time to make sure they know that I love them. When I can say yes to those, then I can eventually find my own peace.
Last night, I happened to notice my voice memos from my iPhone had been synced to iTunes. Curious, I opened it and listened to them. One brought me tears, but they were happy, memory tears. It was a thirty second clip of my darling girl Carmen purring. She had a VERY distinctive purr. She also often slept with her nose close to my ear so I heard it a lot. Hearing her that way made me smile. When I helped Carmen cross the Rainbow Bridge, I chose to do it on a day two very dear friends married. I knew I would be at a celebration of life that day. As hard as it was to let Carmen go, I intentionally chose a day of joy to do that.
Did I grieve her? Yes, I did. And, truth be known, I still do. She was with me for over eighteen years. There were a lot of memories in her sable fur. But I knew it was time for her so I spent a lot of those last moments loving her and talking to her. That was healing for me.
So, your 180 second challenge is a hard one today. Is there anyone in your life that you would shed bitter tears over for leaving anything unsaid? How can you address that?
NOTE: Sometimes there are people we NEED to speak to but for whatever reason can’t/won’t. Write a letter instead. Then burn it to release that energy.
Seek joy, y’all!
Death, Sun And Moon Tarot, US Games Systems Inc.