It's been a year since my Snuggles died

Last edited Mon May 5, 2025, 06:10 PM - Edit history (2)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10182008109

Snuggles is in the middle. https://imgur.com/pHfQZI6

It has been a long and difficult year since my Snuggles died. It has also been one of the most spiritually fulfilling.
Little did I know that this year that has followed would take me from my last back surgery (April 28, 2024) to recovering from a quadruple bypass surgery with hundreds of miracles sprinkled in.
I found a family (you DU readers) in this year, a support group (you DU readers) in that year, hope, inspiration and so much love. I was helped by feral Fred D Bear, who came to me shortly after Snuggles died and stayed for the first two months to hold my hand and then disappeared.
I've been embraced, hugged, and welcomed. I've been taught, encouraged and supported. I've been counselled, scolded and rewarded.
My message this morning, while inspired by Scrivener and SheltieLover, was realizing that I've been blanketed by the deeds that your faiths have inspired. So many deeds that there's no way to have expressed sufficient gratitude to acknowledge the all. in Summary, your deeds have inspired mine.
The grace, kindness, acceptance, guidance and wisdom you have shared and imparted to me have helped me to gently let Snuggles go into the hereafter.
You helped me celebrate her, mourn her, miss her, thank her, and yes, finally release her. I trust that her spirit will be here with me without imprisoning hers.
What I really want to say is Thank You! To all of you, from AllaN01Bear to XanaDUer2 and every letter in between, you showered me with your empathy, your warmth, your understanding and your willingness to be with me for those moments that you knew were so painful and difficult.
Your open hearts kept mine open when it had to be. You helped me grieve in a healthy, full way for the first time in my life. You helped me embrace this moment as I would any joyous one because this one was the price to pay for all of them. I always knew that in my mind, but you helped me recognize how important it was to pay it in full, because anything less would have left me stuck here.
As I go walk Snuggles brother Cuddles now, please let me close with saying thank you and I love you all from the very bottom of my heart.
As I celebrate Snuggles' place in my heart, there's no way I would have been here without all of you.
Thank you,
Love, John