Coping With Loss

Our speaker at this Friday’s CEO/Leaders Connect, Dr. Vic Strecher, wrote his book On Purpose to help him come to terms with the death of his 19-year-old daughter, Julia. In reading his book, I realized that while we all experience loss in our lives, we are rarely prepared for it and always struggle to cope with it.

Just this morning, as I was writing this piece, I learned the shocking news that a friend and colleague died suddenly of a stroke over the weekend.

Fifteen years ago this month, I lost both my father and faithful Labrador Retriever, Lucy. As my way to cope with their aging and imminent passing, I had started writing letters to Lucy (and indirectly to my dad Al). After their passing, these letters became the book Conversations With My Old Dog.

We all find different ways to cope with loss. For those that are struggling to find a way, I often suggest expressing one’s feelings through writing, drawing, or some other artistic outlet. Often times, just finding a way to release thoughts from your mind can help bring some peace.

Here is the last letter from Conversations With My Old Dog:

Til We Meet Again

Sadly, Lu, today I write to you in your sweet hereafter.

I trust and pray that you had a safe and painless journey.

Lucy, you must have been surprised to have my dad join you

so soon.

I bet he arrived with a lifetime supply of doggie cookies

…he always loved dogs so much, yet, as far as I know,

he never had one of his own.

As usual, Lucy, you were wiser than we could ever have imagined.

Holding you as you died helped us prepare for

Dad’s passing, only one month later.

His body failed,

but death itself was sudden.

Pat and I sat with him as he died.

Two days of struggle to leave his body,

and then a peaceful final passing.

At the moment of his death, a single bird flew into our view.

I pray that bird carried his soul to yours, Lu.

Now I pray Dad cares for you as his pet, and you watch over him

wherever you may be.

I feel comforted imagining you two playing together, nurturing

each other

until, perhaps, some day

we may all meet again.

If you would like to read more of Conversations With My Old Dog, you can find it HERE.

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