Preparing for a loss!

There are different stages in the jasmine flowers.  Some bunches showed indications of having lived their life time and ready to fall off soon and integrate into the soil, from which it received its nurture. The fading flowers return to the soil to give life to more plants. 

This cycle of life is an experience to live with. 

With declining health of Daphne, now 12 years old, we needed help from the vetenary doctor, whom we visited yesterday. The doctor indicated that she might have a malignancy which is spreading! Anna and I too sensed that recently and we were getting ready to offer her palliative care. She would have a surgery this week end to remove a tumour that can be resected from her leg. 

Daphne was like the jasmine flowers in our garden, refreshing us with her presence, aliveness, friendliness, and responsive behaviour. She demanded no attention; every caring attempt from our part made her even more responsive and interactive. Now she is still the same temperamentally, although we feel that she might be in pain sometimes. Her agility is on the decline. 

We sense how Dulcie is also sorrowful, seeing Daphne not wanting to  play as before. 

What fills our thoughts and memories of the last 12 years, when Daphne gave us an experience of fidelity and communicative behaviour, is gratefulness. A dog, who grew to be expressive and responsive took us on a journey to learn more about canine habits and needs. Every time we had to give her an injection or give medicine orally, we noticed how she responded trustingly. 

We moved her yesterday, from her kennel and yard to the back portion of our cottage where we can observe her more. She did not look comfortable with that as she had her kennel and an enclosed yard to move around for the last 12 years. 

I felt comforted while walking in the garden and noticing the jasmine blossoms, most of which had flowers that turned brown, ready to fall off! 

There were many flowers which were still fresh and alive! They were bringing fragrances and abundance to the garden. The loss is real, but what is still left can bring fullness and refreshment. 

To be able to view life beyond losses, and grow in contentment with what can bring fullness is an optic formed by faith and hope!

 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)