Birth. Love. Death.

It was my birthday today. I had a pleasant day with phone calls from friends and family, a glass or two of scotch shared with Else, a bathroom renovation finally finished, a tasty seafood pasta dinner, a leisurely evening walk with my dogs.

And I thank my mother for birthing me, my mom and dad for loving me and raising me, my siblings for teaching me about peer relationships – yes, even my bratty brother for helping me to tolerate teasing! And, of course, my critters for loving me and walking with me in my retirement years.

And as I breathe deeply and cherish my family and friends and the many wonderful animals with whom I have shared my life, I also learn of the passing of a 17 year old sheltie who spent his last three years with my online friend, Connie. He passed peacefully in his bed, from sleep to coma to the Rainbow Bridge, his time on earth well spent, his earthly body worn out. It is the type of death I wish for my dogs, when their time comes, and for all whom I love. It is the type of death I would wish for myself.

People have often asked me how I can adopt seniors knowing they will be with me for only a few years, or how I could foster palliative dogs like Isaac, or how I could bear to say goodbye to my precious Caleb whom cancer took at only five or six.

It is the cycle of life. Some are born, some die. In between they are loved. At least, my wish for them is that they be loved in the time between their birth and their death. And at some point we say goodbye. Some times they live a very long time, sometimes not so long, but the end of earthly life will always come eventually. There are more souls waiting round the corner to be born, to be adopted, to be loved. It is not that the lives of those who pass are undervalued, but that they are so very valued, so very rich in the lessons they pass on to those blessed to know and love them, that we who continue life on earth can continue also to love.

We are born, if we are among the fortunate we are loved, and eventually we die. It is what life is about.

Thanks mom, for giving me life.
Thanks Connie, for loving Good Guy.
Thanks to all my friends who are currently caring for palliative or senior critters or humans.

We do what we are born to do – love. And when we die, our friends and family grieve even while their hearts are full of love for others. That is what the cycle of life is about. Birth, love, death, love, birth, love, death, love. Sunrise to sunset, with laughter between. Can there be a more wonderful celebration, a more blessed cycle in nature?