Life and Death walk hand in hand.
There are many folktales filled with wisdom and insights about this relationship, and our relationship to it. From Nepal, Greece, Turkey, Canada, Africa, China, Mexico and beyond are these tales of tricking Death, making deals with Death, hiding from Death, befriending Death.
A Mexican tale about an old woman who tricks Death to climb up into a tree, a tree with a magic spell which holds him captive in the tree. Over time, no one dies. The world becomes over-crowded, people suffering do not die and so on. Things start to way back up, so the old woman makes a deal with Death, if he doesn’t take her, she’ll let him down. He agrees, and life goes on. There is a Greek version of this tale as well.
In 1939, the movie, “On Borrowed Time” was made, starring Lionel Barrymore as Gramps. He tricks Death into climbing up an enchanted fruit tree, from which no one can escape. Death is trapped up there. Over time, negative consequences accumulate when no one can die, including Gramps’ suffering grandson. So Death is released.
Another folktale about Luck and Death walking along. They come across a farmer working his field. The farmer recognizes them. Luck says “Let’s see who he trusts the most,” thinking this was a trick on Death, he’d show Death who was the coolest. When they ask the farmer, he looks straight at them and says, “I trust Death. He treats everyone the same.”
We each have lost people and pets and relationships we love: parents, siblings, a child, a spouse, pups, cats, gerbils, a best friend, the list goes on. For me, I have learned it always contains gratitude. Yes, gratitude for all the warm, rewarding, loving times. Endings tend to be difficult.
Many of you know the tough decisions that often are required: when to end life support measures, when to remove apparatus, to decide when to put down a beloved pet. A lovely friend who recently lost her husband sent me this song as I am preparing to put down my kitty, who is purring on my chest.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again by Dan Gokey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F77v41jbOYs
Michele
August 26, 2024 at 7:47 pmMy heart goes out to you Mary. Hugs & love. Chele
Mary
August 26, 2024 at 8:08 pmThank you much, Chele. Best to you~~
Bettyanne Hasbargen
August 26, 2024 at 8:42 pmMy heart is with you dear friend, with the upcoming loss you’re facing. I wish peace to you -until life becomes gentle again. ~~Bettyanne
Mary
August 26, 2024 at 9:17 pmThank you for reading, don’t we all have things to deal with. Best to you~~
Melanie Ray
August 26, 2024 at 11:01 pmAh Mary, yes, pets too. May it go simply for both you and your cat
Melanie
Mary
August 27, 2024 at 10:54 amThank you, Melanie. Best to you and thank you for reading~
Judy Ridge
August 27, 2024 at 12:20 pmAs always I loved your Blog. Loosing someone,
whether a human or pet is never easy, Always thinking of you!! Hugs!!!
Mary
August 27, 2024 at 12:53 pmThank you, Judy. And I much appreciate your regular reading and that you enjoy it. Best to you~
Naomi Wark
August 29, 2024 at 4:42 pmBeautiful post, and beautiful song that will remain with me. Sorry about your kitty.
Mary
September 1, 2024 at 7:48 amThank you, Naomi. Good to see you. Thanks for reading~~
LEWalker
September 9, 2024 at 1:58 pmMary,
Keeping writing, reminding us about life and living.
We should enjoy and welcome our lives no matter what.
Mary
September 13, 2024 at 2:46 pmThank you, Lydia! Indeed~