Sharing Vulnerable Feelings

Grieving is private, and yet we share in this public forum. There is such beauty in that sharing. I find there is great healing in the sharing. Part of the beauty of this place, is our common pain, and the sharing of that pain.

i think it is important to remember that everyone's grief process is so individual, and that in compassionately witnessing someone's grief process, we can be of great assistance in their healing journey.

We can also interrupt a healing journey, or add more pain, if we offer "advice" which has not been requested, or issue judgments based on what "we" would do, or not do.

Even well meaning advice (that hasn't been asked for) can hurt or derail someone who is sharing vulnerable feelings.
I invite us all to continue compassionately witnessing each other, and by doing so, honoring each individual's grief process.

Great Website For Grieving

hi everyone, i just wanted to offer this resource;


http://www.anaflora.com/grieving/index.html

Good Book/ Grieving The Death Of An Animal

There is a nurse in san francisco named betty carmack, who is a grief counselor for animal loss. she runs a free group monthly at the SPCA (for 25 years) and has written a book called "Grieving the Death Of A Pet" by Betty Carmack. it's a slim paperback for 12.95, but PACKED with compassion and great information about caring, coping, loving and transforming.
she writes beautifully about her own animal losses, one of which is particularly heartbreaking- she KNOWS about loving animals and grieving the loss of them.

Why We Get Stuck In Grief

hello everyone, just wanted to share this resource;

http://www.animalsinourhearts.com/comfort/stuck1.htm

Death Of My Cat, Jupiter

One month ago tomorrow, my 16 year old cat Jupiter died in my arms after an 11 month illness that progressed very rapidly in the last 2 weeks of his life. He told me not to be so focused on his physical body, that it was "just a covering with a zipper"
i agree philosophically, and i'm still having a lot of trouble living with the fact of his physical departure. Tonight it hurts so much i can barely breathe.
i'm so grateful for this forum, and have read all the posts and received a lot of support and comfort, thank you so much for all the words of love... it's remarkably helpful to share this journey. just typing these words is healing somehow.
thank you