A Salute to a Great Soul - A Year Is Not A Very Long Time

by Robert Wilkinson

A year ago today a great Soul that meant more to me than most people I’ve known this life passed into the heavenworld.

It was on this day last year that Yuri, my cat-teacher and road partner of 18 years, died after a long and great life. I still miss him from time to time. And a year seems like last month.

As I told you then, Yuri (18 April 1995 - 9 April 2013) was my good friend and equal in many ways, and a remarkable Being. Intelligent, friendly, popular, talkative with a HUGE vocabulary, about as non-violent as a cat can be, he was caring, sensitive, and a good sport, given he and I spent about 25,000 miles together in cars and trucks throughout his life. We were constant companions, never intruding on each other’s freedom, but loving each other deeply for many years.

More than a few of his many friends have expressed how much they miss his physical presence this past year. That’s how popular he was. And yes, I know he’s doing just fine on the other side, much better than his final few years here when he was almost completely deaf and blind from 7 years of diabetes (which he completely cured just a few months before he checked out!) Here it may be good to remember that Death is not the enemy, but just Spirit's way of recycling the best of us when the husk is worn out.

So Aum and blessings. He was such a great Spirit that his death left a huge void in my life, even as I know the memory of his unique spark will be with me always. And yet, I also know that when he left, he left quickly and completely, with no astral residue to hang around. That’s one of the biggest advantages to cremation.

While sometimes the departed do visit us for whatever reasons, that’s not Yuri. He wasn’t one to hang around when there were other places to explore. He was an Aries with Moon in Sagittarius, so that’s not surprising. To turn an ancient aphorism around, “As below, so above.”

I suppose that’s just the way life is. We meet them, we hang out with them, and sooner or later one of us leaves, for whatever reasons and karma there is. Along with so many others this life, he helped me experience another level of unconditional love.

By not “calling him back,” I believe I left his Spirit free to grow into unknown evolutionary realms. Here I trust the wisdom of God to know exactly where his Spiritual Spark needs to be. It sure isn’t here.

And so today I’m in contemplation of how mysterious the ways of Spirit are, and how we’re all part of one gigantic life, both in form and in no-form. Love is love, and it persists across time. That’s the nature of our bond with each other, whether we know it or not. And those who show us a greater love will always be a part of our Soul-field, whether we’re in a body or not.

So rather than offer condolences, since this isn’t that kind of day, please indulge me one thing: use today to remember someone who touched you deeply, loved you unconditionally, and who was always there for you without reservations. You will find strength and solace in that experience.

© Copyright 2014 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Shelley Sides]

Hi, Robert- It does seem like only a month since Yuri passed, I remember! My dearly beloved Poodle, Bodhi, passed just 2 weeks and 4 days ago, at only 5 years old. I haven't had grief over ANYONE like I have him- he was my Souldog. And, my very first dog, returned to me after we had been apart (physically) for 10 years. Yes, I called him back then (he literally saved my life in both of his last incarnations as my dog), and evidently again, now! Found him in a litter, and he gets to come home, again, on the 26th. I guess I'm not strong enough to be without his Lion Heart and unconditional love and acceptance of me? I just haven't found those same qualities in a person, even my closest and dearest of friends. Maybe, I'll be stronger when he sheds this new fur coat? I don't know, but what I DO know for sure is that like your Dear Yuri, he was my teacher and best friend. The 2 weeks I spent grieving and looking for him, again, I was so sick. Physically ill, and I've just never grieved like that, before. Earth Angels, our furbabies... I'm going to name him Deva, because he is truly divine, to me. Peace, Love and Blessings to you and Wise Yuri (who is part of you, and you carry him in your heart, with you, wherever you go)... Namaste

[Shelley Sides]

ps- Deva's Mars/N. Node is on my Natal Uranus, his Moon is on my N. Node in Sagittarius, and his Sun/Neptune is on my Jupiter. We both have Mercury in Aquarius (but his is retrograde). You can see in my FB profile pic he has the look of an OLD soul... Have you noticed any interesting chart contacts between pets and their owners, or you and Yuri. I always look at my pets' charts and notice important connections, because I seem my relationships so important and profound with my beloved animals. Just wondered if anyone else ever did that, LOL? ;)

[Sally Evans]

I remember. My own black and white 18 year old cat went soon after. Maybe Yuri and Tasha roam the Heavens together. Bless you Robert.

[Shekinah]

Hi Robert, thank you so much for sharing this. I have such a sweet image of you and Yuri taking a drive together.

As I try to earnestly take up your invitation to connect with love that is undoubtedly stronger than death, I find myself struggling with grief and sorrow. I can perceive the higher truth of the timelessness of our connections, and yet feel overcome with a hurt heart and feelings of abandonment and loss. These feelings seem to get in the way, but I don't know how to give them their due so I can open more fully to the larger experience of lasting love. Chiron in the 7th (on the degree of the grieving widow) and a strong Pluto squaring my moon has meant much wounded healing around grief, which I know you understand. I feel like I've been in the coal mines and I know that there is sunshine flooding the world above, but every time I reach for the warmth I feel full of pain.

Just wanted to share, as I know there are others out there who can sense the reality of what you speak of but feel the constraint of a heavy heart. I want to make the leap.

[Nic]

Beatiful and gives a different perspective on life, death and grief.
I can remember many lifes that are gone but that loved me incoditionaly and deeply. I am a blessed man, as we all are when we become aware of what we have recieved.
Blessing be

[Sabina]

very beautiful...

[Carol]

Robert, I totally understand what it's like to be a little "lost" without our furbabies...I've always had 4 cats at a time....love their energy and their unconditional love...mine are all "gone" now, but every now and again I "see" and "sense" them still with me as I catch a "glimpse" of them out of the corner of my eye...especially when I'm stressed...they are such magical beings. Once my "Saturn Return" has placed me in the next "spot", I plan to adopt some more...As you say, "Love is Love, and it persists across all time"......they are never truly gone....they are within us all along!...Blessings !

[Nancy]

Greetings Robert!
Yes, aren't we all awfully glad to finally see the back end of this unrelenting, simply spiteful winter, happy to stumble blinking into the light of the sun and absorb Vitae Sol once again.(This has pretty much just happened up here.)
Right. Well, with the impending crucible of the Grand Cardinal Cross
about to heat things up, as I sat face to the sun and eyes closed yesterday, I found myself pondering what sign and degree the Galactic Centre would be during the crux of it all i.e. April 20-23 and what influence it would bring to bear?
Nancy from Toronto, Canada

[Sara]

Hi Robert...your post here simply makes me feel happy. The love relationships that continue after death, and through the complete release. Made me think of Snuggles, my favorite kitty who my daughter selected when Snuggles was the runt of the litter. I feared she would die, so I picked out an additional, healthy kitten brother. The brother was run over while still a baby, but Snuggles lived for 13 years. Just goes to show you! My daughter's first instinct was right, and my fear was misplaced. Snuggles crossed to the other side 16 years ago but I still think of her fondly.

Your final sentences also made me remember my Dad who passed on 11 years ago. He was a good, kind man and I was lucky to have his love and his example.

Thank you for the uplifting insights, memories, and thoughts!