I am very sorry for your loss. I share your pain. Our golden retriever left us 11 months ago. It still hurts. At that time I came across these words. May they help ease your heart:
“It is hard to give up your best friend who gave you all the loyalty and love it had to give. Pets help us cope to live with life and death — most often we outlive them. I came upon a beautiful quote, from an essay — “The Once Again Prince” by Irving Townsend. May it bring you some small comfort.
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." — Irving Townsend
These are bittersweet and beautiful words. It seems the most innocent and pure love leave us with the deepest grief. Perhaps because it’s the closest we will get to experiencing it ourselves and in the end cannot have it forever. Thank you for sharing this.
I lost my 12-year-old sister 56 years ago in a bicycle-car accident, but because of her faith in Jesus and my faith in Jesus, I know WILL see her again in the by and by in the place where there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow. My 96-year-old mom died in 2020 after declining health in the last 3-4 years, an answered prayer of hers. I loved my mom so very much, yet I have experienced only joy in knowing she is now out of her pain and with my sister and with our Jesus.
I hurt for you in the loss of your dear pet dog, I know that pain also, and it is all too real. I pray that God will bring your comfort by his Holy Spirit as only He is able to do.
Jordan Peterson has said, on more than one occasion, life is suffering. I guess that means we're supposed to expect it, but I find no comfort knowing it. This was a splendid essay. Heartfelt. Thank you for posting.
Thank you, sir. You’re right, there is no comfort there. Just the simplicity of expectations, which can bring peace. Maybe that is enough. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
My heart aches for you, Jenna, I am so sorry for your losses. Whenever one loses a pet, the grief is staggering and shocking. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of the rest.
Jenna, I always admire your ability to use words to craft your thoughts. Regarding your Stella. I am so sorry. There is no purer love or loyalty than from our dogs. Their gift to us we are privileged to have. We have had a few. Each with their own personalities we will cherish forever.
Regarding the boy, I am sure that is a pain I can't possibly understand and I wish you peace with it.
Regarding your father in law. To see the pain of the ones you love might be the hardest.
Jenna, thank you for sharing such a profoundly beautiful and heartfelt reflection. Your words capture the essence of love and loss in a way that resonates deeply - there is so much to unpack. I am truly touched by your ability to convey such complex emotions with grace and authenticity. This is a beautiful tribute to the love that endures through our grief.
Thank you, Mark. I never know if what or how I write makes sense to anyone and I write hoping it helps me make some sense of life — I’m glad this connected with you. I very much appreciate your generous support and encouragement.
I deeply connected with this piece and loved your imagery (i.e. "stare at the sun"). In August, I began writing poetry centered on what I call "Life's Refrains: Faith, Family & Finding Hope." I've written 15 poems on topics such as moving into life's winter phase ("Autumn's Farewell"), the suicide of my nephew ("Silent Battle" and "Easter Tears"), repentance ("The Dance of Dark and Light"), and cognitive decline ("From Grief to Hope"). Can't wait to read your next piece. Thx
This is wonderful, Mark. I’m glad you have a creative outlet. I admire people like you who write poetry — it is an art that I appreciate and wouldn’t know where to start to attempt. Amazing! I hope you share it.
Aside from being crushed by this, by your Stella’s death, by your father-in-law’s passing, and by this “boy” .. I admire your mechanics again .. the spirituality that shines through your inimitable logics .. such as this place somewhere that’s so perfect, that of course, no one can live there. We weren’t meant to stay there .. while we’re here, here in the rusted world. Sigh. You are so brave. You’ll argue, but you are. I feel like unlucky people just live with feet in both the here and now, and in the dreamworld, forever reconciling. I till wonder who was this boy .. such a beloved one.
Jenna,
I am very sorry for your loss. I share your pain. Our golden retriever left us 11 months ago. It still hurts. At that time I came across these words. May they help ease your heart:
“It is hard to give up your best friend who gave you all the loyalty and love it had to give. Pets help us cope to live with life and death — most often we outlive them. I came upon a beautiful quote, from an essay — “The Once Again Prince” by Irving Townsend. May it bring you some small comfort.
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." — Irving Townsend
Even in grief your words carry weight.
Your friend
These are bittersweet and beautiful words. It seems the most innocent and pure love leave us with the deepest grief. Perhaps because it’s the closest we will get to experiencing it ourselves and in the end cannot have it forever. Thank you for sharing this.
I lost my 12-year-old sister 56 years ago in a bicycle-car accident, but because of her faith in Jesus and my faith in Jesus, I know WILL see her again in the by and by in the place where there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow. My 96-year-old mom died in 2020 after declining health in the last 3-4 years, an answered prayer of hers. I loved my mom so very much, yet I have experienced only joy in knowing she is now out of her pain and with my sister and with our Jesus.
I hurt for you in the loss of your dear pet dog, I know that pain also, and it is all too real. I pray that God will bring your comfort by his Holy Spirit as only He is able to do.
You're the light to which I aspire. You write the truth and may the truth set us free. Thank you, Jeff.
Well, I'm glad I can reflect the light because the Light is Jesus, and it is he who truly sets us free by his truth.
Tears
No words
Jordan Peterson has said, on more than one occasion, life is suffering. I guess that means we're supposed to expect it, but I find no comfort knowing it. This was a splendid essay. Heartfelt. Thank you for posting.
Thank you, sir. You’re right, there is no comfort there. Just the simplicity of expectations, which can bring peace. Maybe that is enough. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I'm sorry. My condolences. This is affecting. Take care.
Thank you, Jonathan. I’ve been enjoying your writing.
My heart aches for you, Jenna, I am so sorry for your losses. Whenever one loses a pet, the grief is staggering and shocking. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of the rest.
Thank you, Sarah. You play the cards we’re dealt. Sometimes you lose a hand, sometimes you win the pot. But never stop playing.
Jenna, I always admire your ability to use words to craft your thoughts. Regarding your Stella. I am so sorry. There is no purer love or loyalty than from our dogs. Their gift to us we are privileged to have. We have had a few. Each with their own personalities we will cherish forever.
Regarding the boy, I am sure that is a pain I can't possibly understand and I wish you peace with it.
Regarding your father in law. To see the pain of the ones you love might be the hardest.
Again. I wish you peace Jenna.
Thank you, sir. Yours are wise words and maybe peace is all I could ask for.
Jenna, thank you for sharing such a profoundly beautiful and heartfelt reflection. Your words capture the essence of love and loss in a way that resonates deeply - there is so much to unpack. I am truly touched by your ability to convey such complex emotions with grace and authenticity. This is a beautiful tribute to the love that endures through our grief.
Thank you, Mark. I never know if what or how I write makes sense to anyone and I write hoping it helps me make some sense of life — I’m glad this connected with you. I very much appreciate your generous support and encouragement.
I deeply connected with this piece and loved your imagery (i.e. "stare at the sun"). In August, I began writing poetry centered on what I call "Life's Refrains: Faith, Family & Finding Hope." I've written 15 poems on topics such as moving into life's winter phase ("Autumn's Farewell"), the suicide of my nephew ("Silent Battle" and "Easter Tears"), repentance ("The Dance of Dark and Light"), and cognitive decline ("From Grief to Hope"). Can't wait to read your next piece. Thx
This is wonderful, Mark. I’m glad you have a creative outlet. I admire people like you who write poetry — it is an art that I appreciate and wouldn’t know where to start to attempt. Amazing! I hope you share it.
Aside from being crushed by this, by your Stella’s death, by your father-in-law’s passing, and by this “boy” .. I admire your mechanics again .. the spirituality that shines through your inimitable logics .. such as this place somewhere that’s so perfect, that of course, no one can live there. We weren’t meant to stay there .. while we’re here, here in the rusted world. Sigh. You are so brave. You’ll argue, but you are. I feel like unlucky people just live with feet in both the here and now, and in the dreamworld, forever reconciling. I till wonder who was this boy .. such a beloved one.
Thank you for this and especially for sticking with me. It means the world.
Of course. Always. At some point, your essays should be curated and collected into a book with a date, “till 20__.”
My favorite version is by Pete Seeger