In the course of a pleasant, relaxed and meditative mood, this past week, we happened to think of the elder of our two cats, “Kudu,” (named after a beautiful elk-like animal, (the “Koo-doo” seen by us on safari in South Africa, some years ago). Kudu, sadly, in common with his two feline predecessors (“Cicero” and “Anchovy”) had developed a deadly disease at or about the usual (feline) terminal age of 13, and had to be “put to sleep,” by the Veterinarian.
As expected, we felt pain and mourned their loss, almost as profoundly as if they were human. A nurtured and beloved pet becomes an integral and familiar part of the family household; its loss, affirmatively, results in substantial regret and for some time is the protagonist of considerable nostalgic, recollection.
The cataclysmic loss of a family member, close relative, dear friend or other loved one, summons up the predictable, and tragic, stereotypical feelings of intransigent denial, irrational anger and then, finally, acceptance and profound sorrow. In some cases, the essential “spark” of life may, suddenly and unexpectedly, be extinguished, “out of the blue,” as opposed to occurring following the previous advent of a critically mortal diagnosis, or the normal and gradual occurrence of terminal old age. Whatever may be the cause, the empty place left by the absence of the deceased, person, leaves a perceived, barren, empty space in the family household and considerable emotional pain, possibly enduring for years.
Universal knowledge of the inevitable, and unavoidable prospect of the end of life, is a universal subject of man’s eternal dread, causing a great many individuals to look (perhaps, vainly) to religion for answers, understanding, or at a minimum, comfort and reconciliation. Inescapably, the unique franchise of “life” is inevitably, and eternally, paid for by the burnished, gold coin of inevitable mortality.
There appear to be individuals who, in their lifetime, choose to, tactically and sophomorically, aspire to avoid the natural concomitance, between the precious, but vulnerable, establishment of loving relationships and its eternally, concomitant and predictable, excruciating pain of loss. Such individuals thus, strategically, wherever possible, avoid intimate relationships, (personal close relationships, marriage, children and even, pets). Such individuals may, conceivably, succeed in decreasing the numerical instances of such inevitable, painful loss, but by so doing, thereby, imprudently and wastefully, decrease their singular, and ultimately, priceless, potential for a fulfilling quality of life.
-p.
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