On Japan, Loss, and Resiliency

Last week while we were in NYC, I took my husband Seth for the first time past the New York Buddhist Temple on Riverside Drive at 105th Street. Outside the temple, there is a monolith statue of the 13th century Japanese monk, Shinran Shonin. The statue originally stood in Hiroshima and, after surviving the bombing in World War II, the statue was transplanted to New York in 1955, “a testimonial to the devastation of the atomic bomb and a symbol of lasting hope for world peace.” With the recent events in Japan — as well as the turmoil in the Middle East and around the world right now — sharing this statue/symbol with Seth was particularly poignant.

photo by Seth Webster

Often, I used to pass this statue with my beagle Pushkin during our longer, evening walk. At that time of night, the neighborhood is quiet, so peaceful. The statue made me think a lot about the continuity of life. I would think about the the Japanese who survived the bombing, who rebuilt the city and their nation; I also thought about the generations since then. Life goes on, because it must.

Not far away from this statue is Pushkin’s memorial bench in Riverside Park.When I first met Pushkin at the Bideawee Adoption Center, he had been rescued and was being treated for heartworm; once recovered, he became the bold little beagle who loved to play “referee” at the nearby Dog Run 105 whenever other dogs were wrestling around. A few years later, his hind legs were paralyzed for nearly two weeks as a result of some ruptured discs in his spine; he not only walked again, but he also resumed his playful nature, happy to run around the backyard with his brother Otis. In the last two years of his life, Pushkin lived with cancer of the red blood cells; still, he did his “Going to Grandma and Grandpa’s” dance right up until the last Sunday visit before he went with the angels. Pushkin’s love of life allowed him to triumph over many obstacles. As I witnessed the life of this courageous spirit in a 25-pound beagle body, I admired him and I learned from him. He inspired me to discover the resiliency in myself, no matter how crushing the struggle or loss I’ve had to face. Even when the loss was about losing him.

with Pushkin at Dog Run 105

Many of you already know about the web site I created, Letters To Pushkin. I have been so moved by the letters people have written to their loved ones now gone — dogs, cats, fish, horses, ferrets, and humans. Taken together, the letters are a testament to the universality of loss — and also of just how resilient the human spirit can be. Reading their words, I am struck by the way loss can bring people together and awaken greater compassion.

Right now, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan, as well as those living in the Middle East in crisis. I pray that they have the strength to rebuild their lives in the face of such chaos and devastation; and, perhaps even more important, that they find the strength in themselves to hope.

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   Gigi says:

   March 25, 2011 at 12:42 pm

   I just read your blog here and I was really moved by the love you shared with Pushkin (by the way love the name). I too lost the heart of my soul when baby passed away about two years ago. Baby was the epitome of “spoiled rotten” she was mama’s little angel. I too pray for the people of Japan, especially the elderly and the children….yet my heart was crying because of the video of the puppy who would not abandon his friend even though his friend did not seem to look like he was going to make it.

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