Hello Lingtening Strike frineds,

I know the answer to my question, but I need a little support right now. It's coming up on my Gretta's one-month anniversary (Sunday, Mother's Day) and maybe that's why it's started hurting an awful lot again. I believe, I KNOW that we will be reunited with all of our dear ones some day, but each day on this side without my girl is like being buried under concrete. I know it's because we loved each other so much, we were soul-sisters. We still are. And sometimes I just can't stop crying. Thanks friends. I'm sorry to sound so selfish when we're all hurting each in our own special way. Just knowing you guys are out there is a tremendous comfort. Thank you SO, SO much, Lightning Strike friends.

Gretta's mom

I just wanted to write back to you tonight to tell you that I hear your pain. I also felt like a great weight was on me when my little girl Zoe was killed. Time will make things better but no one can tell you how much time. Every one of us travels through this grief in our own way and our own time. We can all be thankful for the love and support from the people here.

I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. This may be a difficult weekend for many of us. I got a card from my 2 Schnoodles on my birthday and Mother's Day. Did not know last year would be the last card with Zoe's name. She is still my baby as Gretta is yours.

Wishing you peace and love.
Joanne

Gretta's Mom -

I know how you feel. Sunday will be Tom's 5 month, and I still cry to this day when I think of him on a warm spring day. But we are all here for each other for support. Try to remember the good times with Gretta as I try to with Sir Thomas....

Thank you so much JoanneL and Tom's dad.

Sometimes one just needs a little propping up by someone(s) else who understands. Our fur babies truly tamed us. Who would have foregone that because of a post-disappearance heartache? Not me and not you.

Thanks again.

Gretta's mom

Dear Gretta's Mom,

I am so sorry you're in such pain and know exactly how you feel. I wish there were some magic formula I could share to help you travel this incredibly difficult road. All I can tell you is you and Gretta are always in my thoughts and prayers (and Mom’s too) and you are not alone. We are 6 weeks, almost to the day, ahead of you in this journey. It’s 1:52 A.M. right now and the exact 10 week anniversary of Peggy The Dog passing was 32 minutes ago. Jeanne, it’s so painful no longer having our beloved companions physically with us but I KNOW that your Gretta is still with you in spirit. How could it be otherwise? As Cheryl83 (with the adorable Bunny avatar) replied to me when I first posted on this site: ‘A part of them will always be with us; just as a part of us has gone with them.” The simple truth of that statement struck me and gave me comfort and so I now pass on her words of comfort to you.

You and Gretta shared a love affair with each other and I’m sure she comes around to visit often. I understand the intense pain in your heart and I send you a big cyber-hug. It will take some time but I promise, one day your heart will begin to lighten and you won’t walk around the entire day fighting back tears and feeling like someone ripped your heart out. You may occasionally get caught up in unexpected ‘waves of emotion’ when you finally feel you are moving beyond the worst of the grief but that too is part of the process. Loving Gretta so deeply means this will not pass as quickly as the loss of a superficial acquaintance. Please allow yourself time to grieve. Your life changing event only took place 4 weeks ago and your head and heart need time to adjust.

Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help during this difficult time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers (as always!!) this weekend.

Please take care of yourself.

Peggy The Human

Thanks so much, Peggy. YOu must be in such heartache right now - beautiful Peggy was passing only half an hour from when you last reached out and touched me in my hurt when yours must have been so great. We love them so much. That's all that's real right now. Together we will get through. Thank you, my friend.

I'll be incommunicado this weekend - going to visit my dad in western MN. No working computer. Back Sunday night. I'll take the prayers and good thoughts of my lightning strike friend - and especially you and your mom - with me for strength. Thanks for everything, Peggy.

Gretta’s Mom
I completely understand your heartache…Bicky (my dog) passed away almost exactly 4 months ago…I thought I was starting to get over his passing, but with the spring came a flood of beautiful memories and I’ve been blubbering like a child. I’ve never experienced such grief…and it’s a daily battle…So, I hope you can take comfort in that you are not alone…Your love for Gretta is beautiful and I’m sure transcends the heavenly boundaries that temporarily separate you two…at least in the physical sense…Spiritually, you are still together…and always will be…Gretta is woven into the fabric of your soul and you should take solace in that…
Mark (and Bicky)

Hi, Gretta's Mom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. The "angel-versaries" are difficult, particularly during the deep grief, as they are yet another reminder that our beloved companion is no longer physically wiht us. The days - - the one's of special celebration - - are harder to bear because our hearts are shattered with the deepest pain we will know on this side of eternity.

I wish there were some words I could write that could take away this piercing pain in your heart, but unfortunately I know there are no words in any language that can do this. I know how much your arms ache to hold your precious Gretta once again, how much your eyes grieve to see her precious face. Your precious Gretta was the center of your universe for everything you did, and she gave meaning to every routine of every day. How is it possible that life should go on "business as usual" now that she is no longer physically with you? How can this life which once was filled with joy now seem so cruelly cold and barren?

Gretta's Mom, the only thing I can offer you is my added deepest empathy for what you are going through, and my sincerest encouragement for you to hold on fast to the comfort and support you find here on this Forum. I promise you, Gretta's Mom, that one day - - in your own time - - you will once again find peace in your heart, for this is what your precious Gretta wants for you. And along with this peace you will know beyond any shadow of a doubt that your precious Gretta is forever with you in your heart and your memories - - and they will fill your heart with happiness once again. I promise you, Gretta's Mom. But this will take time, one day at a time, and time that cannot be rushed through. Unfortunately this grief journey is not a "drive through" - - there is no "fast forward" or "delete" button we can press to make it disappear or make it go by quickly. We cannot "select" what we want to go through and ignore the rest of the grief journey. This is why is it is vitally important for you to know that we are here for you, with you, and beside you with every step you take in your journey, Gretta's Mom. There are no "time limitations" here - - we are for you for as long as it takes, for as long as you need us and want us to share your journey with you.

Gretta's Mom, I hope in some way you find comfort and encouragement in what I have shared with you. The words seem so inadequate but I hope you will know they come to you from a heart who knows exactly what your heart is feeling. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Gretta's Mom, and look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you so much, my Lightning Strike friends. Moonbeam, you are so right that this is not a 'drive through' or 'fast forward' or 'pick and choose'. Like all of us, I'm learning that one day at a time. This weekend was a little stressful for me - I made the first of my bi-weekly trips to visit my elderly dad - the first one without my doggie. My dad said he missed her, too. My role was to support and encourage my dad - he's been a widower for eight years and lives by himself. He's had 2 strokes but he's doing very well. Supporting my dad while my heart was actively breaking was TOUGH. I'm happy to be home - where all Gretta and my familiar places and things are. It's OK to be sad here. It's OK to cry. The tears are in proportion to the love Gretta and I shared - so, as much as they hurt, they are healthy tears.

Thank you for reminding me to slow down ... to really take the time to experience the loss, the grief, the lonliness - all of it. Unless I do that, I'll never come out on the other side, the side that some of you have come to ... when the memories of happy times replace the tears that now come so easily and often. Thank you, my friends. Thank you.

Gretta's mom

Hi Gretta's Mom,

Just want to let you know you're in my thoughts tonight and I'm wishing you a peaceful evevning. Remember Jeanne, as challenging as it may be at times while you travel this dark and difficult road, you are never alone. Any one of us on this site are here for you when you need a shoulder to lean on and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the times you've been there when I needed someone to lean on. Big cyber-hug to you, my friend.

Saying lots of prayers for you and your sweet Gretta,

Peggy