Hey there,
Our beloved cat, Kira, who is 14 years old, is dying. She’s had cancer for some time, but it looks like she might not last – and, in fact, by the time you read this, we may have lost her.
Please do not send personal emails. I’d love to see your wishes and love on the blog, where I won’t get so overwhelmed.
As you can imagine, I’m not up to writing much. If you’re interested in reading more, here’s what I wrote last year at this time.
Here’s one on advice versus internal guidance, that also addressed grieving and death I was facing exactly 12 months ago:
And here’s one from a week or so before, on an example of a $7 bonus, a quick video I took before going to the gym early one morning:
Next week we are announcing our new program on accelerating growth through teams, systems and business models, but I don’t have it in me to say anything else about it right now. Just keep your eyes open.
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60 Responses
Dearest Mark and your family,
This resonates with me SO deeply because just last week I lost my most beloved cat Rainbow to cancer. She has been my best friend all my life, since I was six years old, so you can imagine what a huge process it has been letting her go. I feel very blessed that she lived as long as she did, almost to 18 years. Despite her age her death was a huge shock because she was bright and healthy right up to her last week. Her blood tests in the prior year showed nothing wrong, so we were overconfident she was healthy (due to her appearance as well). She suddenly became very lethargic so we took her in and discovered the tumor in her belly. To see your beloved friend sick is very challenging, especially as it nears the end. It’s been a spiritual process, and a big lesson in surrender. Rainbow taught us unconditional love, and we honor her by living by her inspiration. She always stood up for herself, despite being the tiniest cat I’ve ever known. She was a master of fully living in all moments, of truly savoring life. Tyler and I have begun to say to each other “Be like Rainbow!” when we need a confidence boost or a reminder of the way we truly want to live! I wanted to share my experience with you, as a support and to say I understand that a cat can be just as much family as anyone else. Rainbow was very much my family. Knowing others understood this even in the back of my mind has helped me through this first week of grieving.
I honor your courage and love as you move through this challenging time as a family. Thank you darling Kira for all that you gave and will continue to give. The love you have for each other is eternal.
Maya- thank you! And thank you for sharing your grief around Rainbow with me as well. Shared grief is helpful… big love and hugs to you and Tyler.
I hope you Mark and your loved ones receive what you need to see you through this painful time… and beyond. Love to you all and peace to Kira. x
Thank you, Sharon.
Thinking of you in your time of grief Mark. Just as with the death of a human there will be a huge gap in your life.Do you have special pet funeral parlours where you are? They can do such a good job of helping with the transition.
Hi Robyn- thank you. No need for funeral parlours- we just had a simple ceremony for the family- we dug the grave, we buried her, we offered memories and love and prayers. It was perfect for us.
Just read your newsletter, Mark, and decided to express my love here on your blog for you and all your family, including Kira. You’re in my thoughts.
No need for any response. I want you to do what you need to do to take care of you and your family at this sacred time.
Much love
Dorothy
Thank you, Dorothy.
Sending so much love, peace, and healing to you and your family at this time of grief.
Thank you, Darcy. Received…
So many wishes for peace and healing going to you and your family. May Kira pass surrounded by love, peace and light. Pets are such angels on Earth. I know you must have been blessings to each other.
Susan
Thank you, Susan, for your prayer.
Sending love and love and love and love and love
Receiving the love, Kate. Thank you.
My cat Minuit is lying across my arms as I type this. He came to live with us a year ago. When he jumped out a groundfloor window 4 mo later to explore, I was devastated at the thought I might never see him again. I couldn’t believe I had become so attached to a small person that fast.
I have loved and lost many furry family members… still deeply deeply grieving loss of 12 yr old greyhound “dog wife” last fall.
Bottom line: my heart goes out to you and your family and I ask Spirit in all HER forms to surround you and you all with Compassion, Mercy and all qualities you may need at this time.
Minuit and I will be streaming you all the best each morning for the next while as we jointly do a Reiki-like process for select loved ones.
Emily “littledog” P
Thank you, Emily. Received indeed.
Sending love and virtual hugs your way and just presence to your grief.
Thank you, Florence.
From my Heart to yours (all of Mark’s family): Namasté.
I am rememebering a healing instant in my life, almost a year ago, when I lost my beloved ‘Mozart’ and your kind & heartfelt words tenderly soothed me Mark…
It is always a privilege to let Love enters one’s life… such a blessing to shared the journey with Kira, to Be love(d)…
“I want to see you.
Know your voice.
Recognize you when you
first come ’round the corner.
Sense your scent when I come
into a room you’ve just left.
Know the lift of your heel,
the glide of your foot.
Become familiar with the way
you purse your lips
then let them part,
just the slightest bit,
when I lean in to your space
and kiss you.
I want to know the joy
of how you whisper
“more”
― Rumi
Much love…
Angelica- amin… bless you and thank you.
Sending healing vibes and hugs, Mark.. It is heartbreaking to lose a beloved furry friend. May your heart find solace soon. <3
Thank you, Rossi.
Furry family members bring such joy and laughter into our lives, so I understand just how you are feeling. Thinking of you, Mark, and sending you warmest wishes and healing thoughts at this sad time.
Leda- thank you… much appreciated.
Ah, 14 years of companionship…what a hole that leaves in one’s heart. Sending you thoughts and wishes for peace at this time.
Bonnie- it is a big hole. Thank you!
Dear Mark, Holly and boys,
I am sending healing wavy Light to soothing to you and your family soul for Kira who will be moving to the other side soon. Without a doubt, I know Kira is so deeply appreciative of you and your family with lot love for being part of her life for 14 years.
You may be interesting to read the book that may ease the grieving in your heart with Holly.
http://animalsandtheafterlife.com/the-book/
Peace with Love,
Robyh
Dear Robyn- thank you.
Mark and the family,
we heard the new and are we are with you.
Our deepest love and support.
Ulises
Ulises- thank you for your with-ness. Received.
Dear Mark, So sorry to hear about your cat. They are our best friends for such a long time, that it is so hard not to have them round any more and letting them go. Take your time and be with your family, nothing more important than this. My thoughts and warm wishes are with you at this sad time.
Jutta- I know.. it is hard- thank you.
Holding space for the journey in all its forms.
Speechless as my brother is dying suddenly this week and my roommate is moving and I am just bent over with grief. I can only share my own and be transparent.
I am helped by Ram Dass wonderful book ” Still Here” that he wrote after
his stroke and I recently re- read Peace Pilgrim. They help as I am 68 and
now looking at my last cycle of life.
It comforts me to hear so many of you love your animals so much. I am that way too but a lot of people don’t talk enough about it, especially their cats. I kept my last one on the couch wrapped in a blanket for a day as he was dead but I
hadn’t let go yet and the other animals, ( I felt ) needed the time to say goodbye.
Every one is different. Bless you all….woke up thinking about my fathers ashes…what a shock that first death was. All My Love, Rambling Katy
Bless you, Katy- thank you for sharing your grief.
Let it flow…
Thank you.
Sending love and prayers.
Lynne
Thank you, Lynne!
Mark, thank you for sharing your grief. I’m sorry for your loss. It’s wrenching, I know. The greatest gift I’ve received from this kind of loss is an understanding of the eternal nature of love. Indeed, my heart is carved by the tears, the yearning, the holiness of such complete love. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But still, I’d rather have them with me. Peace and great tenderness to you and your family.
Thank you, Phyllis. Loss is okay, painful, but okay.
Love & Peace to you & your family Mark, and to Kira too. Know that she loves your family will always be with you.
Thank you, Debbie.
So much love you and your family have shared with Kira. What a gift. Blessings of peace and happy remembrance to you all. May the sweetness of your memories soothe the pain of your loss.
Thank you, Jack- much appreciated.
Sooo sorry, Mark. I know how sad this is — have been through it several times. Perhaps you and your famiy will find some comfort in this, the Rainbow Bridge…..it has always helped me when I’ve been grieving for my 4-legged family members….
http://www.petloss.com
Thank you, Nancy.
Much love and care to you and your family, Mark. Each pet we bring into our lives is so unique and special. I’m sure the hole that Kira has left is massive. So much care to you.
Thanks, Carolyn.
Mark, sending you and your family Love and Light during this time of grieving. We have six cats (and other animals), and every one of them is a special light in our life. As an animal intuitive, I would be happy to facilitate a conversation with Kira if you wish it, and when you’re ready. My gift to you.
Thank you, Ashara, for the offer. I’m not moved in that direction, but very much appreciate the spirit in which it’s given.
Dear Mark,
I’m traveling the grief journey myself, having lost my dearest kitty boy, Myles, in January. His spirit is so big, a cavernous hole was created by his absence. For the first few weeks, we struggled to navigate around this hole, but mostly we fell in, many times throughout the day. The hole is still there, but it’s settling into a soft, wistfully sad place in our hearts. We will always love him… gradual acceptance makes it easier. Grief is part wonder, in having loved so well and so deeply.
May Kira’s journey to her spirit home be grace-filled and easy. And may you take comfort in each other in your shared loss.
Thank you Lauren-Miranda, for sharing your grief, too.
It is such a transition when we lose those who are close to us, and it doesn’t matter if they are the same species or not. Sending support for the transition to be as easy as possible, with all of the feelings involved.
Thank you, Sunday, thank you. So true.
Ah! The loss of a furry friend who has been with your for so many years! Praying that you and the whole family, in all the ups and downs that are part of grief, feel supported by the Love that is within you and surrounding you.
So sorry! I is not easy to loose a pet. They are so much a part of the family.
I had to sit with your post for a while because my beloved Ozzie-cat is also very ill, and it’s almost unbearable. I am so sorry you are losing your darling furbaby. I don’t have words of my own, but this quote resonated for me and I hope it holds some meaning for you. My heart is crying for you.
“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan…”
“The Once Again Prince”, from “Separate Life Times” Irving Townsend
Thank you, Kat, for your heart-felt empathy. Kira did die, and we’ve been very sad to lose her. I send my heart to you in facing your Ozzie-cat’s illness.
Mark, and those who also shared the loss of a furry friend,
My heart goes out to you all. It’s not easy to keep outliving some of our best friends. I lost a cat and a llama in the aftermath of my recent move, making the transition even more bittersweet. It helps me to remember that those Souls who’ve graced my life in animal bodies are eternal and may even decide to return to me. Several have done just that, and others have shown me their new assignments in the other worlds. Many blessings to you as you go through this journey of loving, letting go, and remembering with gratitude.