Unpacking

We are packed.  Full of emotion and feelings.  Jam packed in our hearts and bodies.
Familiar journeys of pain and rejection.  Over and over.  Stuffed.
The disappearing cat has brought up so much.

What now?
How can we treasure and care for both the good and the bad in all our lives?
How can we begin to unpack our full to bursting selves?

I always remember that we are Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit.

Here are some suggestions that we find helpful.  We are all so different and so  some of these things will work better for our unique selves.  It is important to do what is comfortable and easy so that love and care are communicated.

The body holds memories and pain.
Some of the best ways to connect with all ages is through our bodies.
 Back massages.
 Feet rubbing and holding.  Hugging.
Gathering together even big kids in my arms.
The kids suffering from empty laps come to my lap.
We are all  missing the cat.  During a long sermon at church, my ten year old cuddles in my lap.  Never had a chance as a baby and child.  Loves being gathered together in my arms and lap now.  A far more important sermon than the one through words.
Quiet moments watching television and reading are moments for different ones to cuddle.  Even after dinner at the table my lap is full.


Our minds are racing.  Some are shut down.
We talk.  Affirm the feelings of pain and loss.  Feel them together.  Give them words.  Bring our thoughts and feelings out into the open.
Share them.  Wonder outloud together.
Link the old feelings with the new and separate them.  Remember our own experiences of pain and desertion.  We were alone with them before.  Now we can share them and relive them together.
So many old feelings like old moldy clothes shoved in the back of the closet.  We talk about pulling them out and hanging them up.  Giving them space and air to breath.

Our hearts are aching.  Empty.  Worried.  Shutting down.
We encourage tears.  Laugh through our tears at our tough Dad who secretly checks the garage hourly at night for cat's return, setting up a night light and keeping the door open.
Gentle hands on heart, we feel.  We talk about our hurting hearts and ask each other for ways that might help.

Souls and spirits deserted.
We draw on our traditions.  We light a candle at the table or on the mantel to remember the spirit of our cat. We find a beautiful rock and plant it in the garden to remember the fine times we had together.
We pray.  Ask God for help.  Carry hope that good will come and that there is purpose in it all.
Mystery and confusion.  Gifts coming and going.  Feelings of light and dark.    Love and sorrow.
All part of God's world.
We are invited to pray and to be a part of it all. The prayer changes us and the world.
There is hope and meaning beyond the pain.
Pray.