I love your turtle story. And I had a time in my life when I touched and released the deepest sorrow. I learned to allow it, embrace it, and then it healed.
Thanks for sharing, Kathy! I’ve always loved tortoises because of their slow wisdom. Have you come across The Tortoise Trainer by Osman Hamdi Bey? It’s a commentary on the Ottoman Empire using imagery from these animals. Would recommend checking it out ☺️
This is a story of an open heart meeting a message waiting to be heard. It’s poignant and real. Grief and loss turn our lives upside down if he don’t give them room. Living that grief by honoring your children will also honor your beautiful life. Thank you for this. I’m so deeply moved.
Thank you for this psychospiritually rich essay. I had a mental conversation with it/you throughout. Thought fodder from me: 1) Synchronicity--the turtle and the turtle sculpture--God's invisible hand made visible; 2) Yes! to processing through writing and now that I've returned to it, art-making; 3) Re-reading stuff in one sitting--for me, years of journals--probably a necessary stage of healing until it becomes re-wounding. I ended up tossing a decade of 'em with no regrets; and 4) New eyes after messy life-gutting trauma? Oh, yes. In fact, I now count on it.
Your writings brought a tear to my eye. I have myself also spent time with turtle energy. My favorite is to lay on the ground in turtle with my belly and chin on the ground. Letting my energy relax into the earth. Hugs *
The keyboard is the image I will carry from this. Six years of walking past it, not letting your eyes land on it. And then the turtle, patient and persistent, whispering slow down. What you wrote about grief and joy living in the same space at the same time that is so true. You are honoring Sean and Maggie by choosing to live fully. Thank you for this.
Kathy, This moved me deeply. For you, it was the turtle. For me recently, it was a snail. I am continually amazed by how these small beings arrive and somehow touch our lives and souls with exactly the teaching we need.
What I found especially beautiful here is the way the turtle did not ask you to deny the messiness, the grief, or the very real weight you are carrying. Instead, she seemed to invite you to see with a wider lens — one that can hold sadness and gratitude, loss and love, grief and joy in the same breath.
Your words about Sean’s keyboard and Maggie’s art are so tender. The idea of honoring them not by walking around the sadness forever, but by sitting down with it slowly, patiently, and with love — that feels profoundly brave.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder to slow down, be patient, and trust the natural progression of the journey.
A sign from the universe that you recognized. I’m happy for you. Take a deep breath in and breathe out. The people who are no longer with you will always be in your heart.
What struck me most was your observation that your situation hadn't changed, only the lens you were seeing it through. It's remarkable how often we find ourselves looking beyond our lives, searching for the next thing, the missing thing, the thing that will finally make us feel complete, while overlooking what is already here.
I was also moved by the way you describe grief and joy occupying the same space. Not taking turns, but existing together. There is something deeply human and honest in that.
Perhaps the turtle's wisdom isn't simply about slowing down. Perhaps it's about staying long enough to notice what has been there all along.
I love the messages Nature gives us when we need them the most.
Yes they always reveal to us so much💚
I have a turtle that visits my backyard once in a while and it waits on my patio for me to feed it worms. It’s so flipping cute!
Oh my gosh, I love this! Lucky you🥰
Yes, they always tell us so much💚💚
Thank you for sharing. x
Thank you Lorraine💚
I love your turtle story. And I had a time in my life when I touched and released the deepest sorrow. I learned to allow it, embrace it, and then it healed.
Bob thank you💜💙 and for sharing your wise words, so appreciate them💚
Hope you see it again. It’s a land turtle (box turtle), not aquatic. What a beauty it is.
We've been on the lookout for her. Only 2 sitings so far🐢
What stayed with me wasn't the turtle, although I love turtles 😊
It was the image of sitting down at the keyboard after six years.
There is so much courage in that kind of quiet step forward.
Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
Thank you Pia. it’s helping me move forward and learning to just be again💚
Thanks for sharing, Kathy! I’ve always loved tortoises because of their slow wisdom. Have you come across The Tortoise Trainer by Osman Hamdi Bey? It’s a commentary on the Ottoman Empire using imagery from these animals. Would recommend checking it out ☺️
Thank you Sian! I definitely will check it out, thanks :)
I love turtle medicine!
Tanya--It’s the best!🐢🥰
Love this Kathy, and healing from the loss of our children takes a lifetime... bit, by bit... xo
Oh Nancy, it really does…thank you💚💜
This is beautiful. What an amazing way to honor your kids and care for yourself.
Thank you Emmie💚🐢💜
This is a story of an open heart meeting a message waiting to be heard. It’s poignant and real. Grief and loss turn our lives upside down if he don’t give them room. Living that grief by honoring your children will also honor your beautiful life. Thank you for this. I’m so deeply moved.
Thank you Kathryn💚 grief meets a sweet turtle and it put it all in perspective for me. Appreciate your kind words🙂
Thank you for this psychospiritually rich essay. I had a mental conversation with it/you throughout. Thought fodder from me: 1) Synchronicity--the turtle and the turtle sculpture--God's invisible hand made visible; 2) Yes! to processing through writing and now that I've returned to it, art-making; 3) Re-reading stuff in one sitting--for me, years of journals--probably a necessary stage of healing until it becomes re-wounding. I ended up tossing a decade of 'em with no regrets; and 4) New eyes after messy life-gutting trauma? Oh, yes. In fact, I now count on it.
Life’s miraculous when we open our eyes to the messages we receive…now to heed her advice💚 thanks Meredith for your words that inspire🥰
Your writings brought a tear to my eye. I have myself also spent time with turtle energy. My favorite is to lay on the ground in turtle with my belly and chin on the ground. Letting my energy relax into the earth. Hugs *
Rozalynd, I love this image of you and the turtle on the ground--breathing in the turtle energy!🐢💜…. and thank you❤️🩹
The keyboard is the image I will carry from this. Six years of walking past it, not letting your eyes land on it. And then the turtle, patient and persistent, whispering slow down. What you wrote about grief and joy living in the same space at the same time that is so true. You are honoring Sean and Maggie by choosing to live fully. Thank you for this.
Thanks Geri. It really has come down to just living in the moment and embracing their beautiful spirits as I move forward with my life.
Kathy, This moved me deeply. For you, it was the turtle. For me recently, it was a snail. I am continually amazed by how these small beings arrive and somehow touch our lives and souls with exactly the teaching we need.
What I found especially beautiful here is the way the turtle did not ask you to deny the messiness, the grief, or the very real weight you are carrying. Instead, she seemed to invite you to see with a wider lens — one that can hold sadness and gratitude, loss and love, grief and joy in the same breath.
Your words about Sean’s keyboard and Maggie’s art are so tender. The idea of honoring them not by walking around the sadness forever, but by sitting down with it slowly, patiently, and with love — that feels profoundly brave.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder to slow down, be patient, and trust the natural progression of the journey.
Oh Judy, thank you for your touching words, so appreciate them!💚💚
A sign from the universe that you recognized. I’m happy for you. Take a deep breath in and breathe out. The people who are no longer with you will always be in your heart.
Thank you Jackie! yes they always will be and that is so comforting💚🐢💜
This really resonated with me.
What struck me most was your observation that your situation hadn't changed, only the lens you were seeing it through. It's remarkable how often we find ourselves looking beyond our lives, searching for the next thing, the missing thing, the thing that will finally make us feel complete, while overlooking what is already here.
I was also moved by the way you describe grief and joy occupying the same space. Not taking turns, but existing together. There is something deeply human and honest in that.
Perhaps the turtle's wisdom isn't simply about slowing down. Perhaps it's about staying long enough to notice what has been there all along.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you, Kathy. It really stayed with me after I read it. I think many of us need the turtle's reminder from time to time. 😊
Shahna, thanks💚 Reminders do definitely help us stay true to our path😊
Love your thoughtful take on the piece Shahna, so appreciate your kind words!🥰