From Grief to Gratitude: The Healing Journey of Love and Loss

Grief is a universal experience, one that touches us all at some point in our lives. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a beloved pet, or even a chapter of life that’s come to an end, navigating those emotions can feel overwhelming. Recently, I faced my own journey through grief with the passing of my dog, Pixie. Her loss, though heart-wrenching, taught me powerful lessons about love, letting go, and the importance of preparing for life’s inevitable storms.

In this blog post, I want to share my experience with Pixie’s final moments and how the ancient Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono helped me find peace during that difficult time. My hope is that by sharing this story, it will bring comfort and insight to others who are walking their own paths of grief, while also encouraging open conversations about end-of-life wishes.

Pixie’s Final Moments: Love, Letting Go, and Ho’oponopono

When Pixie’s health declined quickly one afternoon, I knew our time together was nearing its end. As she lay in my arms, I found myself instinctively turning to the practice of Ho’oponopono, which I had been committed to for 21 days. For those of you who may not be familiar, Ho’oponopono is a Hawaiian practice of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The heart of the practice centers around four simple yet profound phrases:

• I love you

• I’m sorry

• Please forgive me

• Thank you

As I cradled Pixie in my arms, I repeated these words softly to her. "I love you" for the beautiful, joyful spirit she had been throughout her life. "I’m sorry" for the times I couldn’t protect her from things that scared her—like thunderstorms, fireworks, and the discomfort she experienced during her final days. "Please forgive me" for any pain she might have felt along the way, and "Thank you" for all the love, companionship, and memories we shared.

In that moment, Ho’oponopono became more than a practice—it became a source of peace and connection. It allowed me to say goodbye with love and gratitude, to release any guilt or regret I carried, and to honor Pixie’s journey.

Taking Responsibility for Our Emotions and Experiences

One of the most powerful aspects of Ho’oponopono is the idea of taking responsibility for our experiences. As I repeated those phrases to Pixie, I wasn’t blaming myself for her passing or the challenges she faced in her life. Instead, I was acknowledging the emotions I felt—sadness, fear, and pain—and taking responsibility for how those emotions impacted me.

This practice, which I learned through the teachings of Dr. Hew Len and Joe Vitale, helped me realize that the world around us reflects what’s inside of us. By "cleaning" the emotional clutter through love, forgiveness, and gratitude, we can bring healing not only to ourselves but to others as well.

In Pixie’s passing, Ho’oponopono offered a way for me to process the pain and find peace. And now, as I prepare for the undeniable reality that one day I will lose my parents, I hope that this experience has given me the tools to navigate those much more difficult losses when the time comes.

The Importance of Conversations About End-of-Life Wishes

Pixie’s passing also taught me the value of having difficult conversations about end-of-life wishes—not just for pets, but for our loved ones as well. While Pixie couldn’t tell me how she wanted her final moments to go, I realized how much peace I found in being able to say goodbye to her in a way that felt right for both of us.

This experience reminded me of how important it is to have open discussions with those we care about, especially when it comes to how we’d want our final moments to be. Whether it’s a parent, a partner, or a close friend, these conversations can be difficult, but they are also a gift. They provide clarity and comfort when the time comes, and they relieve our loved ones of the burden of making tough decisions in the midst of grief.

It’s not just about talking through our wishes—it’s also about creating legal documents like a will or trust to ensure that our desires are respected. By making these plans now, we can offer our loved ones peace of mind, knowing that they won’t have to guess what we would have wanted.

Preparing for Life’s Storms with Love, Forgiveness, and Peace

Life will inevitably bring us more difficult storms—whether that’s the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another personal challenge. My journey with Pixie’s passing was a reminder that while we can’t control these events, we can control how we navigate them. Tools like Ho’oponopono allow us to process our emotions with love, forgiveness, and peace.

As I reflect on this experience, I hope that by sharing my story, it will bring comfort to others who are going through similar losses or preparing for future heartache. Loss is never easy, but with the right tools, we can find peace even in the midst of life’s most difficult challenges.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to explore Ho’oponopono in your own life. Whether you’re dealing with grief, conflict, or simply seeking more peace in your daily routine, this practice can be a beautiful way to heal your relationships with others, with yourself, and with the world around you.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience with Pixie’s passing and the lessons I’ve learned through Ho’oponopono. Grief is never easy, but it can also be an opportunity for growth, healing, and connection. My hope is that by sharing my story, it will offer comfort and insight to anyone who is navigating their own journey of loss.

If this resonated with you, or if you’d like to learn more about the practice of Ho’oponopono, feel free to reach out or listen to my recent podcast episodes where I explore this topic further. And as always, remember to love deeply, forgive freely, and find peace in the storms of life.

Connect with me here, or Email: radiate.hw@gmail.com

In this heartfelt conversation, Christine D Ross reflects on the profound experience of losing her beloved dog, Pixie. She shares the emotional journey of saying goodbye and the peace she found through the Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono. Christine emphasizes the importance of having open conversations about end-of-life wishes, not only for pets but for loved ones as well. She encourages listeners to prepare for future losses by communicating their desires clearly, thus alleviating the burden on those left behind. Ultimately, the discussion revolves around love, forgiveness, and the healing power of connection during times of grief.

In this powerful video, Christine D Ross recites the sacred Hoʻoponopono prayer—repeated three times to deepen your reflection and healing. Combined with affirmations, this Hawaiian healing practice helps you clear negative energy, release emotional blockages, and invite peace into your life.

Join Christine D Ross as she unveils the power of Hoʻoponopono, an ancient Hawaiian spiritual practice of forgiveness, cleansing, and deep emotional healing. In this episode, you'll hear the incredible story of Dr. Hew Len, who healed an entire psychiatric ward using this simple yet profound Hoʻoponopono healing technique.