The way you are able to speak so beautifully about death, dying and grief makes it feel like something that should be embraced and not feared. You make me want to explore that and not cower from it. Thank you, Brandy, for always sharing the depth of your heart with us and for letting us feel like Jonas was ours too. 💙💙💙
Oh, this has to be the best feedback EVER as that's exactly my intention, always! It's a tough thing to try and "convince" people of, but I realize that's not the right word to use. I also find myself choosing not to write about grief (and death/dying) because of the number of times I've heard people tell me they can't look at it because it's too painful - it makes the efforts feel a little pointless sometimes, but I obviously can't force anybody to "heal" in any capacity as that is a very personal journey. I just have to trust that my words, voice and stories connect and resonate with just the right people, at just the right time - and it's also one of those things where if I put it out there now, it will be there for anyone to come back to later when they're ready 💙
As hard as grief is, your open heart sharing keeps me from being lost in my own grief. IT IS HARD. Hard to experience pet loss. It’s isolating, or at least feels isolating. Grieving Jonie, alongside you and the grumble farm-ily, has helped me allow myself to grieve my own pugs. Helped me feel less alone, and feel like they are not alone across the bridge but are among all the other pugs who welcomed Jonie, and Jonie himself.
You were in my thoughts all day yesterday, and continue to be. 💙
Ahhhhh, thank you for this, Laura. I wish more people felt this way - I get asked almost every day if I have any advice, help, or resources for surviving this kind of grief from the same people who tell me they can't read, watch, or listen to me talk about it in any capacity. There is no easy answer - you have to feel it all at one point or another. Thanks for being strong & courageous enough to move through your own experience with me 💙
I saw the rainbow in the picture where you held Jonie’s urn up towards the sun. After seeing Jonie flowers on his apple walk, I knew there was going to be a rainbow following. I loved your 2nd edition (of many more) Morning Grumble here on Substack. There is beauty and peace that comes through in your writing about Jonas and the passing of him to a place beyond our normal viewing of life. For me, beauty and pain are dual sides of a profound love that will always exist in your heart. Until your next meeting, where the feeling of oneness continues on. It has been hard trying to create the space to find that peaceful feeling, but I have tasted it and I hear it can be done. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences on this journey we call living. Sending gentle thoughts and hugs.
Ps, I reposted both as a story and post on Instagram and Facebook the lighted candle post from a year ago. I thought I tagged you but you can see it under my posts on Instagram.
There definitely is a colourful little sun flare there, isn't there 🥰 That's my hack for "seeing" Jonas - holding a camera up to the sun! Haha. As always, thanks for reading, Lisa. Your reflections on death, dying, grief, grieving & mourning are so beautiful and valuable. I get something out of your comment replies every single time. Whenever I write about death and grief, I feel very peaceful and to know that comes through the screen is incredibly comforting and affirming that my intentions are coming through crystal clear. I agree that beauty/joy and pain mingle & co-exist with each other every day. It's a duality that is ever present and constantly perplexes me and challenges me to keep an open, curious mind. Also, I LOVE talking about "oneness" 🥰 One of my favourite poems by Khalil Gibran is called "Fear", about the river becoming the ocean - maybe you've head of it?
I think one of the biggest challenges in grief is finding the tools to create that "space" you speak of, where peace can enter. It's so easy to run from, and so hard to sit still with. I am in awe of those who have cultivated the courage to sit with grief, and get to know her a little bit. I've come to learn that she's not an enemy to run from at all. 💙
I think the first year of grieving is the hardest, you learn to hide so much.....like when you hear them walking, and they're not there etc. As much as it brings up my hidden grief, I'm so grateful you are sharing xx
Omg... the first year is WILD. It's also full of so many blessings if you're open to receiving them as I feel the "veil" is at it's VERY thinnest that first year. The first year of grief can be full of so much connection and synchronicity that co-exist with many other difficult, uncomfortable feelings and emotions that require processing and integration, or else they get stuck there and manifest into something much more complex down the line. Thank you for being so brave as to read/watch/listen to my reflections on grief and grieving - that it innately healing in itself for you & your beautiful caring heart! 💙
Thanks Rachel - it definitely wasn't the way I expected to spend Jonas' first Rainbow Bridge Anniversary, but I'm so, so, so, so glad I sat down to write this, this past weekend. It was so intentional and cathartic! 💙
This was a beautiful piece about your love for sweet Jonas. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and feelings. It is an honour and privilege that you share this with us. Big hugs to you all 💙💙💙💙
A true tribute to sweet Jonas. I didn't forget his rainbow Bridge anniversary yesterday, you and Jonas were in my thoughts. Can't believe its been a year already. Hugs to you all x
This was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and photos. What a tremendous life for such a little pug baby. It continuously blows me away. Such a beautiful thing. 💙💙💙💙
The way you are able to speak so beautifully about death, dying and grief makes it feel like something that should be embraced and not feared. You make me want to explore that and not cower from it. Thank you, Brandy, for always sharing the depth of your heart with us and for letting us feel like Jonas was ours too. 💙💙💙
Oh, this has to be the best feedback EVER as that's exactly my intention, always! It's a tough thing to try and "convince" people of, but I realize that's not the right word to use. I also find myself choosing not to write about grief (and death/dying) because of the number of times I've heard people tell me they can't look at it because it's too painful - it makes the efforts feel a little pointless sometimes, but I obviously can't force anybody to "heal" in any capacity as that is a very personal journey. I just have to trust that my words, voice and stories connect and resonate with just the right people, at just the right time - and it's also one of those things where if I put it out there now, it will be there for anyone to come back to later when they're ready 💙
As hard as grief is, your open heart sharing keeps me from being lost in my own grief. IT IS HARD. Hard to experience pet loss. It’s isolating, or at least feels isolating. Grieving Jonie, alongside you and the grumble farm-ily, has helped me allow myself to grieve my own pugs. Helped me feel less alone, and feel like they are not alone across the bridge but are among all the other pugs who welcomed Jonie, and Jonie himself.
You were in my thoughts all day yesterday, and continue to be. 💙
Ahhhhh, thank you for this, Laura. I wish more people felt this way - I get asked almost every day if I have any advice, help, or resources for surviving this kind of grief from the same people who tell me they can't read, watch, or listen to me talk about it in any capacity. There is no easy answer - you have to feel it all at one point or another. Thanks for being strong & courageous enough to move through your own experience with me 💙
I saw the rainbow in the picture where you held Jonie’s urn up towards the sun. After seeing Jonie flowers on his apple walk, I knew there was going to be a rainbow following. I loved your 2nd edition (of many more) Morning Grumble here on Substack. There is beauty and peace that comes through in your writing about Jonas and the passing of him to a place beyond our normal viewing of life. For me, beauty and pain are dual sides of a profound love that will always exist in your heart. Until your next meeting, where the feeling of oneness continues on. It has been hard trying to create the space to find that peaceful feeling, but I have tasted it and I hear it can be done. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences on this journey we call living. Sending gentle thoughts and hugs.
Ps, I reposted both as a story and post on Instagram and Facebook the lighted candle post from a year ago. I thought I tagged you but you can see it under my posts on Instagram.
There definitely is a colourful little sun flare there, isn't there 🥰 That's my hack for "seeing" Jonas - holding a camera up to the sun! Haha. As always, thanks for reading, Lisa. Your reflections on death, dying, grief, grieving & mourning are so beautiful and valuable. I get something out of your comment replies every single time. Whenever I write about death and grief, I feel very peaceful and to know that comes through the screen is incredibly comforting and affirming that my intentions are coming through crystal clear. I agree that beauty/joy and pain mingle & co-exist with each other every day. It's a duality that is ever present and constantly perplexes me and challenges me to keep an open, curious mind. Also, I LOVE talking about "oneness" 🥰 One of my favourite poems by Khalil Gibran is called "Fear", about the river becoming the ocean - maybe you've head of it?
I think one of the biggest challenges in grief is finding the tools to create that "space" you speak of, where peace can enter. It's so easy to run from, and so hard to sit still with. I am in awe of those who have cultivated the courage to sit with grief, and get to know her a little bit. I've come to learn that she's not an enemy to run from at all. 💙
I think the first year of grieving is the hardest, you learn to hide so much.....like when you hear them walking, and they're not there etc. As much as it brings up my hidden grief, I'm so grateful you are sharing xx
Omg... the first year is WILD. It's also full of so many blessings if you're open to receiving them as I feel the "veil" is at it's VERY thinnest that first year. The first year of grief can be full of so much connection and synchronicity that co-exist with many other difficult, uncomfortable feelings and emotions that require processing and integration, or else they get stuck there and manifest into something much more complex down the line. Thank you for being so brave as to read/watch/listen to my reflections on grief and grieving - that it innately healing in itself for you & your beautiful caring heart! 💙
Another beautifully written tribute to your love for Jonas Happy heaven day sweet Jonas. Hugs brandy
Thanks Rachel - it definitely wasn't the way I expected to spend Jonas' first Rainbow Bridge Anniversary, but I'm so, so, so, so glad I sat down to write this, this past weekend. It was so intentional and cathartic! 💙
This was a beautiful piece about your love for sweet Jonas. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and feelings. It is an honour and privilege that you share this with us. Big hugs to you all 💙💙💙💙
Thank you for validating my efforts and for making me feel so seen & heard, Suzanne 🥹💙
💙💙💙
Forever 💙
A true tribute to sweet Jonas. I didn't forget his rainbow Bridge anniversary yesterday, you and Jonas were in my thoughts. Can't believe its been a year already. Hugs to you all x
This was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and photos. What a tremendous life for such a little pug baby. It continuously blows me away. Such a beautiful thing. 💙💙💙💙
Thank you for this Mallory 🥹💙
💙 so well written. As always! 💙