Love Means Letting Go

Letting go is one of the most difficult challenges we experience in our lifetime, yet the act of letting go is a demonstration of love at a very profound level.

The act of letting go of an addiction … self-love at its finest.

Letting go of an unhealthy relationship … again, self- love and deep love for the person you are releasing.

However, in my experience the greatest act of letting go is mustering up the strength, putting on a brave face and encouraging our loved one to let go, so they may become free from disease, decline, and suffering.  We gather round, our hearts aching, and hold the space in which they will transition to their new life, assuring them they are free to discard their bodies and fly high.

The love in the room is palpable.

As we approach Saint Valentine’s Day, the day which has come to symbolize love, I find myself standing by and holding the space for our beloved ‘tomcat’; Forrest, who has graciously, lovingly and nobly shared himself and watched over our family for the past 11 years.

Forrest stepped out of the woodlands which surround our property many, many years ago and presented himself on our front porch as a big, black, not-to-be-messed-with, huge headed ‘tom-about- town cat’.  Beefy.  Certain of himself.  Craving love, but unsure of how to ask for that love.

I took to courting him with much trepidation and great joy in the belief we would one day, become fast, caring friends.  11 years have passed and not only did we become fast, caring friends, he became the ‘rock’ in our family.  The great protector.  The King of our castle.

It is with great sadness that I now hold the space, along with the rest of his family; we all surround him with love.  His favorite feral feline, and love of his life, Georgie-Girl, who has been by his side for the past 11 years, remains right by his side as I type.

We are steadfast.

We are strong.

We are sorrowful as we hold the space.

The gift of being able to do this is priceless.

Ah, the great beyond is a mystery.

Thankfully, since I communicate with spirit I know there is so much more in store for us after we shed our earthly form.  So although we are hurting deeply as we encourage our beautiful being, Forrest, to ‘let go’; I believe in the wonder and beauty of life after death, and I take comfort in that knowing.

We will meet again.

This I know.

I also know we all die.

There is no escaping that.

So as we live, we love.

And as we love, we let go.

Georgie Girl (black & white) with her love, Forrest.

Forrest was surrounded by his loved ones as he passed peacefully in my arms yesterday (February 18, 2004) at 4:56 pm. It is with deep sadness we say goodbye to his physical presence, which is already sorely missed by all.

He leaves behind eight other feline family members, (Toka, Midnight, Izzie, Maisie, Tigger, Peanut, Shadow and his sweetheart, Georgie), two canine companions, (Charlotte and Webster), two mice, (Mighty and Solstice), seven hens, (Sage, Cloud, Snowball, Buddina, BWOne, BWTwo and BWThree) many human friends and relatives, too numerous to list (you know who you are) and his beloved constant companions and ‘mothers’, Katharine and yours truly.

It has been an honor to have served and loved you our friend.