Pardon my absence.

4 weeks ago sweet Max passed away.

He was a beloved companion and joyous spirit who brought much love to my life, and that of our family.

I allowed myself the space to grieve and feel the waves that came with losing him in this realm.

Grief often is a portal to unprocessed layers aching to be known or felt.

Dogs have a way of cracking our hearts open, offering unconditional love.

They don’t play human games or ask us to be something other than who we are, so they have a natural ability to soften our armor and keep us in check about what matters.

Before Max passed, I asked him to give a wag and kiss to my aunt Jeanne who put her earth walk to rest in late May.
I felt comforted by the image of them happy and snuggling.

His death marks another loss in a series that have been accompanying me for a while now.

Something about the timing coincides with the felt sense that I am bringing a huge cycle to completion.

I’m choosing a gentle re-entry even though the “push through it” programming yaps on. As in nature, the elements and seasons move at their own rhythm, on their own terms. That’s the wisdom I aspire
to live by.

Oh, and Max’s love prance. More of that, please.

With all that I am,

Kendra E Thornbury, MA