Cycle of Life

This has been quite a week for our family. First we lost one of our parakeets, Biddy, mother of two keets, Baby B, her first hatched girl, and Bonnie Boy, her youngest son. She died just as her daughter was sitting on 5 eggs. Kind of sad she didn't see her grandkids.

Then my heart broke last Wednesday while at work when my friend of 9 years suddenly fell to a massive stroke right in front of me. My friend, my service dog, my buddy, she died so unexpectedly that it will take me a long time to get over the shock and grief. Honey, a beautiful German Shepherd, was also a mother-figure to our Yorkshire Terrier, Puca, who has never spent a day away from Honey in her 6 years. This is a major emotional hurdle for me, and has brought me to prayer seeking comfort. I find it in the belief that all creation was created by Love, for Love and to BE Love, and Love does not come to an end. Life is changed not ended, and Honey still IS, in whatever form our Creator knows to be best.

Tonight after fighting a long hard battle, my oldest cat died peacefully in my arms. We had given him to my mother for her 75th birthday. He was a kitten and so we put him in a little box, so when she opened it he popped up like a Jack in the Box, and surprised her. She was so surprised she slammed the cardboard cover back down pushing Tiger back into the box! We laughed for years that she left him scarred for life. Tiger brought my aging mother so much joy. It was the best gift she ever received, and became her friend. He was with her as she died, kissing her. We inherited him and I promised Mom I would take good care of him for her. I know I did that, especially these days as he was getting ready to meet her again. Tonight, Tiger took his last breath while I held him close telling him to "go to Grandma."

Three deaths in a week. But this morning was the first time I handled our first new baby. Hatched a few weeks ago, I left mom, dad and chick alone other than saying hi when cleaning, feeding, etc. But this morning I picked up little Sunshine for the first time. My husband was amazed at how at ease s/he was in my hands, but then I said, there is no reason to mistrust; s/he's never been harmed by a human! I hand raised the parents, so we all shared some chirps and I returned Sunshine to the nesting box. A beautiful little yellow (so far) parakeet. New life beginning while older life moved on...

I only began with birds about 10 year ago, so I'm not as familiar as I am with dogs, cats, or even goats. But I love these little friends, and learn more every day from them as well as my other pets.

So a week of death had its flip side too--beautiful new life. What kind of world would we have if every kid grew up witnessing this cycle gently in the home? I think we'd have far more respect for life, and a willingness to protect and nurture it, rather than take it for granted, or be fearful of the cycle, or do harm to others.

I give thanks tonight for the beautiful friends in my life who are feathered or furry! They are part of my spiritual community teaching me about the faithful love of our Creator. Like St. Ciaran who found community among the animals, I have been blessed by them as well.