Kateri, I know where Samwise gets his wise. So glad that he has you to give him the comfort and dignity he needs. Samwise, in turn, gives you the opportunity to learn ever more deeply about yourself. 💕 Your heart, in letting go, encompasses more fully the beauty of the love it holds. Thank you for this thoughtful reminder of so many things my heart needs to remember, and the tears falling down my cheeks are light with love, instead of heavy. 🙏
Gosh it’s so hard when feelings are raw. It’s like life gets real and we can’t just be present for a time. We are going through a clarity moment like this with my Dad. He’s on the mend but at 99 what does that mean. Being comfortable, having love and family nearby, holding hands, letting their words repeat with a smile. A loved one is a loved one whether 2 feet or 4. My heart and loving kindness energies are with you and your family. 💕💕💕
Oh Sue, what a beautiful clarity: being comfortable, having love and family nearby, holding hands, letting their words repeat with a smile. May we each and all be so fortunate. Sending love and hugs.
Thank you for honoring your dear Samwise. We are in a similar time with our cat Oliver and the acceptance that they are moving towards death is so hard, awe filled. So much gratitude for the small and indescribable ways they impact our day to day lives. Feeling for you and hoping that both our furry friends find ease in the transition.
Thank you so much Kateri. I was trying to figure out how to paste a picture in the comments but I’m not sure how to. I’ll quickly describe him instead. He’s black cat with the most golden eyes. We inherited him 3 years ago when his original Mom/Family passed away. He wiggled his way into our hearts pretty quickly though. He’s a big presence. Vocal, loving, unapologetic in how much he wants to be near you.
Oh I love him already. I love black kitties. You can send me a direct message, or email me at kateri.ewing @ gmail. If you feel like it. Would love to see him!
Kateri, your essay raises a profound question: If everything is fleeting, how do we find lasting meaning and purpose in our lives? Is it possible to embrace the impermanence of life while still striving for something greater than ourselves? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this.
I know it's possible, even though I am not sure the human heart and mind can ever fully embrace the impermanence of life. Some seem to find this in religion, the promise of an afterlife or continuing on in some way. I have no idea what happens when we leave our bodies, but my deepest wish is that our soul continues on. But right here, on this exquisitely beautiful and often painful earth, I believe, for me anyway, that the rewards in striving for something greater are in the process, in the small things that light up my heart. Today that will be my tiny granddaughter's smile, and seeing my older grand daughter get on the school bus with such delight and excitement for her day ahead. Maybe I really don't know why or how, but the mystery of it all is a magnetic pull for me. I am probably not answering your question very well, but I love the question.
Thank you for sharing. I don’t think there was a perfect answer to my question - it just came to me as I read your piece.
I think we live our purpose, even if we aren’t quite sure what it is. We are purposeful beings, but we often get so distracted by other things (including finding our purpose) that we become disconnected by what we already know and feel.
Weirdly, the less I focus on “purpose,” the more purposeful I feel. Like the magnetic pull you reference, I’m simply just pulled in the direction I should go.
Thank you for indulging my… probably randomly deep question. Your answer has depth and I appreciate the effort you spent in answering.
Samwise is full of good fortunes…in his siblings, his caretakers close by, all full of love. And that alone might carry you through. Joy, all mixed up in sorrow, is a deep dive. And so well expressed in your words here Kateri. I feel attachment is self serving, maybe a punishment we bring to ourselves.
So I pay attention now, laugh, kiss joy. I hold on to memories, not so my heart is held hostage, but to build a stronger bond with who I am, and am becoming. I trust love is fluid & ever will be. 🕊️
So wise, Judy, and hard won, I think. Or maybe I feel. I love that we can hold on to memories to build a stronger bond with who we are and who we are becoming. That is so beautiful. Patti Smith writes so beautifully about this. I find a lot of solace in her books. I am sure you have read them. Would be wonderful to read her books and talk about them with a few people who feel them like I do. xo
There is nothing to add to this as it is stated with such acute sensitivity and eloquence. I remember Sam and his siblings when they were THE Cutest kittens on earth and running wild thru your house. I’m on my second baby cat. The first one was my soul cat and “spirit given”. I adopte my second one shortly after the first one passed away. It is unexplainable how it feels to be their guardian for the short time we are given or how it feels to be chosen by them ,and looked after by them. My heart aches for you both as you find your way through. Rest easy my friend and remember that beginnings and endings are bends in the sacred circle. Love you much.
Oh gosh... they were so wild! Sam broke SEVEN lamps. 🙃 Your soul cat is still with you in many ways, right? My first soul cat was Tofu. But they have each left their marks on me. Thank you for your gentle, wise words. Love you much back.
Kateri, I know where Samwise gets his wise. So glad that he has you to give him the comfort and dignity he needs. Samwise, in turn, gives you the opportunity to learn ever more deeply about yourself. 💕 Your heart, in letting go, encompasses more fully the beauty of the love it holds. Thank you for this thoughtful reminder of so many things my heart needs to remember, and the tears falling down my cheeks are light with love, instead of heavy. 🙏
thank you, dear Kitty. It has been quite a time. learning and accepting along the way. love you.
Gosh it’s so hard when feelings are raw. It’s like life gets real and we can’t just be present for a time. We are going through a clarity moment like this with my Dad. He’s on the mend but at 99 what does that mean. Being comfortable, having love and family nearby, holding hands, letting their words repeat with a smile. A loved one is a loved one whether 2 feet or 4. My heart and loving kindness energies are with you and your family. 💕💕💕
Oh Sue, what a beautiful clarity: being comfortable, having love and family nearby, holding hands, letting their words repeat with a smile. May we each and all be so fortunate. Sending love and hugs.
Thank you for honoring your dear Samwise. We are in a similar time with our cat Oliver and the acceptance that they are moving towards death is so hard, awe filled. So much gratitude for the small and indescribable ways they impact our day to day lives. Feeling for you and hoping that both our furry friends find ease in the transition.
Oh Nancy, I am so sorry for Oliver. I will be thinking of him, too, and you. Would love to see a photo of Oliver. They are so dear. Big hug for you. 🩶
Thank you so much Kateri. I was trying to figure out how to paste a picture in the comments but I’m not sure how to. I’ll quickly describe him instead. He’s black cat with the most golden eyes. We inherited him 3 years ago when his original Mom/Family passed away. He wiggled his way into our hearts pretty quickly though. He’s a big presence. Vocal, loving, unapologetic in how much he wants to be near you.
Oh I love him already. I love black kitties. You can send me a direct message, or email me at kateri.ewing @ gmail. If you feel like it. Would love to see him!
Kateri, your essay raises a profound question: If everything is fleeting, how do we find lasting meaning and purpose in our lives? Is it possible to embrace the impermanence of life while still striving for something greater than ourselves? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this.
I know it's possible, even though I am not sure the human heart and mind can ever fully embrace the impermanence of life. Some seem to find this in religion, the promise of an afterlife or continuing on in some way. I have no idea what happens when we leave our bodies, but my deepest wish is that our soul continues on. But right here, on this exquisitely beautiful and often painful earth, I believe, for me anyway, that the rewards in striving for something greater are in the process, in the small things that light up my heart. Today that will be my tiny granddaughter's smile, and seeing my older grand daughter get on the school bus with such delight and excitement for her day ahead. Maybe I really don't know why or how, but the mystery of it all is a magnetic pull for me. I am probably not answering your question very well, but I love the question.
Thank you for sharing. I don’t think there was a perfect answer to my question - it just came to me as I read your piece.
I think we live our purpose, even if we aren’t quite sure what it is. We are purposeful beings, but we often get so distracted by other things (including finding our purpose) that we become disconnected by what we already know and feel.
Weirdly, the less I focus on “purpose,” the more purposeful I feel. Like the magnetic pull you reference, I’m simply just pulled in the direction I should go.
Thank you for indulging my… probably randomly deep question. Your answer has depth and I appreciate the effort you spent in answering.
Samwise is full of good fortunes…in his siblings, his caretakers close by, all full of love. And that alone might carry you through. Joy, all mixed up in sorrow, is a deep dive. And so well expressed in your words here Kateri. I feel attachment is self serving, maybe a punishment we bring to ourselves.
So I pay attention now, laugh, kiss joy. I hold on to memories, not so my heart is held hostage, but to build a stronger bond with who I am, and am becoming. I trust love is fluid & ever will be. 🕊️
So wise, Judy, and hard won, I think. Or maybe I feel. I love that we can hold on to memories to build a stronger bond with who we are and who we are becoming. That is so beautiful. Patti Smith writes so beautifully about this. I find a lot of solace in her books. I am sure you have read them. Would be wonderful to read her books and talk about them with a few people who feel them like I do. xo
I would welcome any conversation with regard Patti Smith’s writing. 🕊️
Beautifully written. Samwise is a wonderful being.
He truly is. I know you understand. xo
May you have the sweetest days Samwise as he prepares for his next big journey !
Thank you 🥰 I'm so happy when I can be home with him.
There is nothing to add to this as it is stated with such acute sensitivity and eloquence. I remember Sam and his siblings when they were THE Cutest kittens on earth and running wild thru your house. I’m on my second baby cat. The first one was my soul cat and “spirit given”. I adopte my second one shortly after the first one passed away. It is unexplainable how it feels to be their guardian for the short time we are given or how it feels to be chosen by them ,and looked after by them. My heart aches for you both as you find your way through. Rest easy my friend and remember that beginnings and endings are bends in the sacred circle. Love you much.
Oh gosh... they were so wild! Sam broke SEVEN lamps. 🙃 Your soul cat is still with you in many ways, right? My first soul cat was Tofu. But they have each left their marks on me. Thank you for your gentle, wise words. Love you much back.
Tofu is such a cute name! Yes, my soul cat is still with me. She was so precious❤️
His brother was Miso. 🩶
Beautifully written, and a beautiful meditation. ❤️
Thank you so much, Karin. Thank you for being here. xo 🩶