It’s a year today since my Yorkie, Champagne passed.  Such an interesting roller coaster of emotions over the past year.  More so this spring as the weather got nice – before all the rain – how I missed sitting on the stoop with her watching the world go by.

The five stages of grief was first introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.  I guess that’s where I am right now…acceptance.  I have traveled through all of them and here I rest this morning.

No loss is easy.  My heart still aches at times.  But knowing where I am along the journey, knowing that Champagne and I lead a full life together, knowing how much she gave to many of my clients, I hope to continue to sit in the knowledge and belief that this is life and the lessons I learned are ones of compassion and love.