Many of you may not be aware that out of necessity I have a second job.
It starts the moment I enter the house and two little girls come rushing toward me. Isabel, the “younger” one, misses me more than her sister and wraps her little arms around my neck, a tight squeeze. Last night the hug was accompanied by little kisses on my cheeks, then on my right shoulder, my right arm and then the gentlest kiss on my right hand. My wife burst into tears watching her display of affection. Our children and animals challenge us to live up to the unbounded love they feel and express.
Many of you in the Kabbalah Experience community know Karen Frankel’s dog Barley. She is featured in our video about Kabbalah Experience. This past week Barley had a seizure. She had been concealing cancer.
Barley has had a stream of distinguished guests offering her a final hug. She has been there for so many others; volunteering her time to sit with children in the hospital, calming them and brightening their days.
Barley is a part of our family. Eva and Isabel went to say goodbye to her. They hugged her as usual. Dog and girls sharing unbounded love.
Meditating last night on the last Chanukah candle as it took its last breath it became clear why we may lose that unbounded love. At some point we leave the unbounded time of the present moment and contemplate the last breath.
A few hours. Eight days. Fourteen years. The life of a Thanksgiving meal. A Chanukah. A dog’s life. It is like the kiss on a hand. A forever moment.
7 Comments
Hanna · December 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm
David this is just beautiful. Really touched my heart. I lost 2 dogs last year, and it was just devastating. I also have 2 new puppies, who are full of unbounded energy and love. It’s great to be reminded that even though these guys sometimes drive me crazy, their love is so easy to access.
Enjoy those sweet little girl kisses and hugs, it all goes by in a blink.
Love, Hanna
Nancy White · December 5, 2013 at 1:29 pm
David, this is beautiful and touching and filled with love……for Barley and Karen, both of whom mean so much to all who are lucky enough to know them. The end of a life is always devastating for those left behind, but go on we must, and we also must try to remember that when a door closes another opens . It is up to us to look for and go through that open door when the time is right.
Karen, we love you and are here for you!
Ed Towbin · December 5, 2013 at 1:43 pm
David,
Beautiful.
Thanks.
Jane E · December 5, 2013 at 4:18 pm
David: Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and heartbreaking story. I send my love (unbounded) to Karen and Barley and to those of you who are willing to accept it.
Karen and Barley · December 5, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Thank you dear Davd and friends for such a loving tribute to my very loving dog, Barley- she will indeed be missed by so many friends, those with tails and those without- but never forgotten- in our hearts forever !
Michelle osterman · December 5, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Thank you David for encapsulating a life so fully lived, a heart forever giving. Barley continues to teach us how to live gracefully, gently, and graciously….and how to face adversity with trust, love and tenderness.Barley….an extension of Karen….invites us all to live purely from a selfless, heart full , kind and compassionate place. We are honored to have had her as our teacher….and she will live on eternally as our spirit guide.
Judy M. · December 6, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Beautiful and loving tribute, David. So deserving.
An old monk shared with me that dogs were his favorite embodiment of God because their love was unconditional. That has been my experience.
Karen, love to you and sweet Barley.