If you're a regular listener you already know I've talked a lot about grief. It gets to be a bigger part of life as you go along.
Saying goodbye isn't a single moment but a journey that unfolds in unexpected layers over time. After keeping my horse Dallas's stall for over a year following his sudden passing, I 'm finally facing the last tie with the barn - giving up his stall. This wasn't just about emptying a locker filled with dusty memories, but about acknowledging that a 23-year chapter of my life had truly ended.
Throughout my life, I've navigated numerous losses with relative success—parents, friends, pets, colleagues. Yet the grief of losing Dallas hit differently. He wasn't just my horse; he represented a 25-year passion that structured my daily routine, introduced me to lasting friendships, and brought my husband and me together in shared joy. When Dallas died without warning, everything changed abruptly.
The night visit to the barn to begin clearing out his belongings brought mixed emotions—the comfort of touching another horse's soft nose, the ache of remembering our routine, the tears that came after whispering "Good night Dallas, I love you" one final time. That moment captured the essence of grief: sometimes it waits until we feel safe enough to let it surface. For anyone struggling with loss—whether fresh or lingering—the most important advice I can offer is simple yet powerful: be gentle with yourself. There's no timeline for healing, no perfect path through pain. Closure comes not when we force it, but when we're finally ready to accept it.
Join me each week as we explore the challenges of adulting with honesty, vulnerability and gentle humor. Whether you're an only child or simply someone navigating life's complexities, you'll find companionship, wisdom, and permission to be exactly where you are on your journey.
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