I had originally planned my next article on this blog to be about cruelty-free nail polish options in Mauritius, and honestly..how I wish that it was the article I was writing right now. Unfortunately, life rarely ever turns out the way we plan, and so as I write this piece with tears brimming in my eyes, I hope that in some way it can bring a bit of comfort to anyone who needs it. And yes while this page or website is dedicated to beauty and cosmetics mainly, I truly believe that mental health is also important to acknowledge whenever we can.
I have recently lost my dog, a friend..in fact the very first friend I got when I came back to the island. The death was so sudden, so unexpected, that sometimes I will wake up and still expect him to be here , running around in my yard. It has been a long while since I had experienced the unsettling grief that comes with death, and I am now still making my way through it. I guess that by writing this piece, which may not be very exciting or appealing to many, i’m hoping to reach out and embrace the few, who like, me may be struggling.
Denial is very real
I for one, used to feel that when something so real and impactful happens, it shakes you enough for you to know it’s real. Yet, the truth is, that denial is usually the first emotion but also one that nudges your brain for a little while after. I guess it’s our way of coping, with the loss, our little way of protecting our little hearts from breaking…completely. Instead denial causes it to chip..in smaller bits. It will cushion the blow for a little while..the time for your mind to process everything. Know that it will help you cope.
Acceptance will settle in
Eventually, you will start to feel the absence…and you might even find that the days that follow are even harder than their actual day of departure. With the acceptance of that loss, will also come the realisation of how important they really were, specially in small daily moments..in instances you may not have noticed before. This is most likely when your heart will ache the most. Know that the pain, will lessen.
Guilt may dig its way in
One of the hardest emotions that you may have to deal with…may very well be guilt. The guilt of not having done enough, the guilt of being helpless at that time, the guilt..maybe of not saying one last goodbye. Eventually, as the crying subsides and you start to go back to a more normal pace, you may even feel guilty for laughing too hard, or doing things that make you happy. Know that they would want you to be happy.
Time will heal
You may have heard this one too much by now, and you may even think it does not work. Truth is, time does not put the pieces of your heart back together. But in some way, it will fill the empty spaces with new moments for you to cherish. And while again, you may feel a little bit of guilt creeping in, for forgetting or slowly moving on. Know that, your heart remembers.
Compassion will be present
What will help you through, when you are ready for it, is welcoming the love and support from others around you. Even in your darkest hour, there will be someone thinking of you. And if you think you are all alone, let that someone be me, keeping you in my thoughts.
It will never be easy, but know that, no matter how much it hurts right now, you will get through..eventually.
I will close this piece by thanking everyone for their kind words, the love and hugs I received and all the good thoughts. I am not in any way an advisor or an expert with dealing with pain, but I truly hope that this may bring you some strength.
To my Zulu: I can only hope that you are happy wherever your soul might be now. I wish I had been there, and yes I am sorry I have not done more, but I hope that somehow you know how much love I have for you, and that somewhere in my heart, there will be always be a Zulu paw print.
”Goodbye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart, is a memory…and there you will always be”
Love,
Vaneeda
❤️
LikeLike