The last few days have been challenging… to say the least!
It was time to walk our sweet Phoebe across the Rainbow Bridge.
We’ve been here many times and knew it was time. Making the arrangements was even harder than it had been before. We knew that we were consciously becoming empty nesters.
Dogs. Lots of them through the years. The last several, Newfoundland rescues. All of them with hard stories and huge hearts.
Our dear friend and Veterinarian, Karen, came to the house as is our choice. Poor Phoebe was struggling by then. Stumbling. Confused.
We all worked together, as we have before, to make her passing as easy as we could.
Oddly, there was another guest at the edge of the bridge.
A moth had gotten in the house. One of the big, owl-colored, Spring-time ones. It flitted around us as we held our girl, landing on her several times. Once I needed to shoo it gently out of Karen’s face.
We wondered together about the symbolism, but were busy with more urgent matters.
Phoebe passed with Peace Oil in the air, a red thread around one ankle, loving hands holding her, and words of blessing in her ears.
A couple of hours later, I got this message from Karen:
What is the symbolism and meaning of the moth?
The moth is a symbol of transformation and change.The moth is also a symbol of death and rebirth.The moth spirit animal can remind us that death is not the end. It is simply a part of life. We all go through times of darkness, but we always come out into the light again.
And, yes… more tears. The kind with sorrow and gratitude, mixed.
Between making arrangements to donate dog food and belongings, The Legendary Husband and I carried on with the (perpetual!) Furniture Yahtzee project.
Distraction, of a sort… yes.
But also, steps into the light…
Sam Bennett’s adventure known as Get It Done Lab began Saturday morning. I have frequent flyer miles on this one… because it helps!
One of the things I’ve learned along the way is that we have to make space for newness. A big part of my list involves fluffing for making the Filters videos which are coming soon.
Tools rising like bread inside me which have the power to em-power LOTS of people!
Part of the fluffing involved the prayer dot version of touch up paint on a really big wall.
Imagine… Hope from clean walls!!!
For this moment, a ton of Newf hair to pick out of the dryer filter and more laundry to do.
And grace… with myself. It’s a pretty good place to start!
Also, prayer dots! Especially in the chaos…
ps… if you hurry, you can still join Get It Done Lab! Just click and be amazed!
pps… in honor of Phoebe and all her Newfie litter mates, and rescue dogs everywhere, I’ll donate 10% of all of this week’s sales (from now, through Mothers Day!) at FierceArtWithHeart to SouthEast Newf Rescue! Everything from mugs to leggings to original art… because my herd helped create it all! (Lots of items are specially priced at the moment… )
