Lessons from saying goodbye

Hello again!

It has been a while since I blogged, and it's good to be back at the page again. I do write today a bit sadly, however, because in one week, I said goodbye to two good friends.

I didn't really understand what "Larger than Life" was until we moved to Barrie and met my neighbour and good friend, Bingo-- who was truly larger than life! A tall and boisterous man from Florida, who forever was inviting anyone around to have a chat and a beer, died in his sleep at the age of 62 after a cancer surgery while recovering at home.

And anyone who has had a pet knows how much of a role they play in your life-- as loyal friends, family members-- in fact, I could argue, perfect siblings. In the same week that Bingo died, I was with my sister, Loulou, as she put her beloved dog of twelve years down.

It is with much sadness that I was a part of saying goodbye to both of them. As a Yoga teacher, I have come to accept the notion that all things in life are meant to be a teacher to us. As a reader of my blog, it is likely clear to you that I am quite a list maker. So today's post is a list of lessons that both Bingo and Loulou have taught me in my time of knowing them.

Top lessons from Bingo
1. Get to know your neighbours. They have ended up on your street because the universe works in mysterious ways to bring us together-- so get to know them. That's why you're neighbours!
2. Be generous. There is no need to keep everything to yourself. We're here to share.
3. Make others feel beautiful. You make their day when you do so.
4. Politics matter. Take interest, and have an opinion for yourself.
5. No matter how busy you think you are, you always have time to talk to others. So stop and chat a while-- there is so much to be learned from our small chats.
6. Do everything with music that you love on in the background.
7. If you love to eat it, screw whether it is good for you or not-- just enjoy. There must be health in the joy that a certain food brings you that surpasses the nutrional value in it!

Top lessons from Loulou the dog:
1. Wake up each day, excited for what is about to happen.
2. Go with the flow—the details of where you end up don’t matter too much if you have the bare necessities with you.
3. Have all of the daily essentials for self care: lots of sleep, a good walk, just enough to eat, plenty of water, companionship and a good poop.
4. When you see someone you love, let them know it in your body language and on your face.
5. Life is all about the simple things that have cannot be bought—friendships, love, a yummy snack, a long walk in nature, being curious of what is out there around you, a back rub from someone you love.
6. When something gets under your skin, just shake it off.
7. Loyalty is an exemplary character trait. Be loyal to those you love.
8. Just be yourself—and allow yourself to be vulnerable. In taking the risk of being vulnerable, we can truly achieve intimacy, trust and closeness.
9. Don’t follow instructions if they do not align with your truest wishes.
10. Nothing is so awful in the world that it cannot be made much better by taking a nap.

Salad girl's tip of the post: When you have to say goodbye to someone, write them a letter to thank them for all they have taught you. This activity can be done much later than at the time if their death, and can be a repeat activity.