A Heartfelt Thank You for Honoring Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

thank-you-jazz

Mr. Jazz – my beautiful boy who inspired me to create Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day in honor of all those pets we have loved and lost in our lives.

Another Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day has passed and I want to give all of you a heartfelt thanks who participated, whether by sharing a blog post, leaving a comment, visiting other bloggers, joining the Facebook event page, or participating privately from afar. I know it’s a bittersweet day – for many, the memories of a lost pet are far too fresh to share, and for others, it’s a time to reflect on days gone by from many, many years ago, perhaps dredging up old wounds.

But for the most part, the day seemed to be welcomed with loving, open arms, giving people an opportunity to share their feelings and memories in an environment that genuinely understands the losses and truly cares. I’m always brought to tears with the love I feel from everyone – so many beautiful angels that have brought so much love, joy, and companionship to people across every wake of life.

When I started the day two years ago in honor of my Jazz, I did it for a very clear reason. I had come to the realization from blogging and social media that people had a real need to express their feelings about pet loss in their life. I wanted to nurture that need by creating a cohesive outlet for people to share their stories, pictures, poems, and more on a larger level.

I knew there were groups dedicated to grieving and I knew there was Pet Memorial Day, a day that is held each year on the second Sunday of September. But I wanted it to be different. Whether you believe in the Rainbow Bridge or not, it at the very least provides the much needed symbolism to help process our loss and pay respect to those pets we so dearly miss. Symbolism and ritual is inherent to our being and that’s what I wanted with Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day – a beautiful, personal, and special day devoted to honoring those memories.

But what really blew me away about the day was when a friend of mine tagged me on Facebook to tell me Rainbow Bridge Day was trending. I was in shock – I’ve never been the trend setter of anything in my life, let alone a venue as large as Facebook. But there it was, clear as day, Rainbow Bridge Day was trending.

I scrolled through the posts – thousands and thousands of people were sharing pictures, comments, links, tribute videos, poems, likes, and more. I was speechless and broke into a mess of tears. So many precious angels, so much love. We did it Jazz, we made a difference and for that, I am humbled. I wish with all my heart the day never had to be, that our precious pets could live with us forever and ever, but we all know it can’t be.

deb-and-kiz

Sharing a simple moment with Kizmet. It’s those moments I cherish the most…

I only wish we could channel that love for the better good of the world. There is so much strife, stress, heartache, and pain. If only we could step back and truly appreciate just how fragile and precious we all really are. Take care everyone and remember to take the time to love what you have right in front of you each and every day.

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  1. Carma Allen says:

    We seen that Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was trending. It was in the top of the list all day on Facebook. Every once in a while we would check the latest posts and read the stories or statuses that others were sharing. When you can bring those who are non bloggers together with those who blog to get a message out to the world, it makes a powerful impact.

    You should be very proud that it only took 2 years to make a difference.

  2. You’re an inspiration in so many different ways … but giving the world a chance to mourn those that are no longer with us – when so many people don’t understand the value of each life – is quite the crowning achievement! You are the epitome of BE THE CHANGE. Sending all of you our love and appreciation!

  3. We saw that too…and were amazed at how quickly it caught on. But humans feel very strongly about their furbabies…’specially those that are no longer with them. Purrs….

  4. It’s wonderful that so many pawticipated. We liked being able to look back on our Angels and remember and share them with our blogging friends.

    The Florida Furkids

  5. Annabelle says:

    I write often about my feelings regarding the loss of my beloved Abby. I had a “friend” tell me basically I needed to let it go it had been long enough and it wasn’t healthy to be wallowing in these feelings. That “friend” then unfriended me out of her life with no explanation, but that only happened after being confronted with my own personal feelings which I only release through Abby’s blog. I mention this incident because it is so important for others to know what you feel is OK and you don’t need ANYONE lecturing you on how you should feel about something so deeply felt. If it is impairing your ability to function then maybe someone needs to try and help you but if someone is a “normally” functioning person they don’t need to be told that they are ‘wallowing’ in Grief. Every single one of us has a unique and individual response to our losses and each has to find whatever works for them the best to deal with it. But for me it felt like a double whammy being told I was wrong for feeling the way I did and having her unfriend me (this was in person). I realize now that it’s for the best and sometimes relationships run their course. I’ve dealt with the issue but I find that it’s a very common thing for people to tell Grievers to get over their loss and I just want to emphasize their is no such thing of ‘getting over’ it, you learn to live with it but you never get over it.

  6. So many have lost pets it’s no wonder the posts of the day trended. It was a tearful day reading posts honoring those lost.

  7. jmuhj says:

    It is so heartening to know that many, many people honor and pay tribute to their loved ones in this way. And I hope all will come to know, as I do, that truly, we are promised to be with our beloved ones in due time, never to part.

  8. Cathy Keisha says:

    I missed seeing it trending but happy that you made a difference. We wish the day wasn’t necessary but it is so thanks for creating it. Perhaps someday TW can write a fitting tribute to Nicky—she’s crying already—without getting hysterical.

  9. Sue brandes says:

    So many people shared. I saw it was trending too.

  10. Ellen Pilch says:

    I enjoyed everyone’s posts, it is bittersweet, but everyone has so much love for their angels.

  11. once again a HUGE thank you for creating a day that while it might make us sad, it also brings us enormous comfort and joy to remember those who have come before. We love you!

  12. I saw the trending and thought for a minute I was imagining it! It really was a beautiful thing to behold! Of course it’s bittersweet–I’m just moved that so many people participated. It’s wonderful that you provided this safe space for all of us to express our love and sorrow, our joy and our sadness…thank you Mr. Jazz and Deb!

  13. da tabbies o trout towneq says:

    dood jazz…..steppin a way frum de post it self fora wee minit;
    yur fotoz total lee awesum…….honest ta cod….we loves this one ♥

    we iz happee for yur mom that her facebook page bringed sew manee
    two gether…we due knot haza facebook a count sew we dunno what
    trending iz….. but we guess itz a good thing…..

    see ya at petez pub for perch later on ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥

  14. meowmeowmans says:

    We love that Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day has spread so far and wide. Thank you and Jazz for creating something from your love. You have made a huge difference in the lives of so many. Hugs!