Subject: Life Happened Again 💓 A Note from My Heart to Yours 💓

Hi Friend,


I never would have imagined after writing to you last week, what was about to unfold...


Monday was off to great start—one of those early mornings where everything just clicks. It was set up by a productive, nurturing weekend, so I was feeling energised and pumped to get my goals and work over the finish line.


BUT then, the universe had other plans.


While galavanting with Ted and Rex on one of our usual off-the-beaten-path adventures... Ted collapsed. He totally flopped, then his body seized.


Did I mention it was pouring rain? Thick, relentless rain. We were in the trees, on uneven ground and the beautiful boy weighs almost 40 kilos!

Ted had been slowing down during the past week, but nothing too alarming—he was still eating, playing, loving life and bones, so I thought maybe he was finally getting arthritis or maybe missing my bro, Jack.


I had no choice but to hoist him up into my arms (thank you to my strong core from yoga and today is day 71 of holding a 3 minute plank), and carry him rock to rock, all the way down.


Straight to the vet, and after all the tests, it was evident that he had a heart tumor and it was aggressive. His days were numbered.
W T absolute F.


The rest of this past week was spent caring for Ted in his final days, making sure he felt loved, peaceful and comfortable.

Another aspect that I could have never anticipate was that this week brought me back to the care I gave my dad in June 2020 in the last month of his life—intense, beautiful, and filled with so many lessons.


I am deeply honored that I got to live out this process with Ted, just as I had with my dad. I have some thoughts to share on dying that the world doesn't feel quite ready for yet, so let's save that for another day!


In both experiences, I found myself in awe of the dying process. Ted faced his final days with the same joy and curiosity that he had lived his entire life.

Ted taught me so much during our years together:

  • Any time is the right time for a walk, whether it’s midnight, dawn or rain

  • Put your face into the wind, nose up, chin up, especially in a storm

  • I started barefoot walking with Ted, as an unspoken agreement. He would speed up and jog with me, if I would slow down and earth with him.

  • Ted showed me how to get lost in the moment - in every moment - with complete awe and curiosity. I called it “jazz paws” because he always looked so jazzed to be walking, full of spirit and excitement—always asking, “What’s the BEST that could happen?”

  • Jack called it “scamping”—wandering off, absorbed by the present moment, chasing whatever captured his attention.

In 2018 when I moved to Chamonix, I wrote a poem to Ted:


Even in his final days, Ted showed me the beauty of companionship and the power of presence. His love for the moment, his excitement for life—even as his body grew weaker—was such a profound reminder to me that we can find joy even in the hardest of times.


On his last morning, he stood tall, with pride and dignity ready to go outside, he only got as far as the front door - so I carried him to the grass.

And 15 minutes before he passed away, he popped up and walked outside to the sunshine on the balcony, before collapsing and staying in my arms, where he passed peacefully.

I’m telling you all of this because I think we all need the reminder that life happens.

 

We can’t control everything in life, but we can choose how we respond.


We can find joy in the smallest moments, take a deep breath, and walk through the storm with curiosity and courage.


And as I navigate this grief, I’ve been using a special Emotion Potion (has not been available for purchase since 2022) called "Mama I Love You." This blend has been a balm for my heart as I move through the emotions of loss.

How the flower essences in "Mama I Love You" are helping me through this:

Red Chestnut:
Red Chestnut is for those who feel an overwhelming sense of worry or fear for the well-being of their loved ones. It helps release that constant need to protect and ensures we can care for others without losing ourselves in anxiety.


Pine:
Pine is all about releasing guilt, especially the "should have, could have" feelings that arise when we lose someone or something close to us.


Cherry Plum:
Cherry Plum helps when we feel like we're losing control emotionally. It brings calm during moments of deep despair, giving us the ability to maintain composure and process the grief without feeling overwhelmed.


Willow:
Willow is for those moments of resentment or bitterness—perhaps anger at the world for taking someone we love too soon. It allows me to release any feelings of “why him” and "why the F now" and embrace acceptance.


Rock Water:
This essence encourages flexibility in the face of adversity. It helps to ease the rigidity in our thoughts and emotions when we're trying to control the uncontrollable, helping me surrender to the process of loss.


Elm:
Elm is for those times when life feels too overwhelming, when we feel burdened by responsibility or the weight of it all. It offers support and strength when we feel we might crumble under the pressure.


Chicory:
Chicory aids in giving love freely without needing anything in return. It helps in nurturing relationships where there may have been deep attachment and provides the space for unconditional love to flow, even as we grieve.


This blend has originally for moving through an empty nest or postpartum but I definitely have felt it's support through the dying process. And don't worry, I also have an OG Emotion Potion called Grief Relief which I'll be brewing up too!


So while I did keep private yoga classes and my branding work going, I haven't had the time to get the new online yoga class schedule up on my site and out into the world. I am preparing everything for Tuesday—so keep an eye out! It’s all coming together, just like those precious lessons from Ted. 💛


There's one more question left to ask you Friend ~> what's the best that can happen?


Wishing you getting lost in the moment with complete awe and curiosity,


Heidi

heidilidholm.com


P.S. Say hi on instagram❣️


 
 

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    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of Empowered Entrepreneur Ezine (HEIDI LIDHOLM, 154 Avenue Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc) and sent via GetResponse on 2024-10-20. Report abuse