What I Learned Through Grief
Grief has a way of shaking the foundations of life, much like the Tarot card “The Tower.” This card symbolizes upheaval, chaos, and destruction—an undoing of what once felt solid and unshakable. My personal Tower moment came unexpectedly when I lost my dog, Foxcat.
Foxcat wasn’t just a dog; she was a mythical creature—a beloved companion who felt like my daughter. When we became nomadic in early 2023, she was an anchor for me. Just a month and a half into this new chapter, she got sick, and within two weeks, she was gone. Her passing was sudden, devastating, and out of alignment with any plan I had for my life. Grieving her was complicated. I felt the immense weight of loss but wondered if it was “okay” to grieve so deeply for a pet. To me, she was more than a pet—she was a soul connection. Her loss forced me to reckon with pain I couldn’t hide, even when I returned to “normal” life.
Out of this grief came an unexpected gift—a creative project to honor Foxcat’s light. The Foxcat Project was born from my desire to spread her joy to others, even after her passing. I created stickers of her face with a QR code that linked to her story. The idea was to let her light shine across the world, and it worked. People from Spain to Japan joined in, placing her stickers in places that were meaningful to them. This project wasn’t just a tribute; it was a way to transform my grief into connection, creativity, and joy. Collaborating with friends who helped design the stickers, build the website, and tell her story became a way of channeling my pain into something beautiful.
Resilience Through Grief
Resilience isn’t about bouncing back to who you were before—it’s about letting the experience shape you. Grief taught me that resilience comes from being fully present with the pain and allowing it to teach you something new. It’s a process of letting go of old foundations, much like the Tower card teaches, and trusting that what comes next will serve your highest good. The Tower card mirrored my grief journey in many ways. It represents destruction, yes, but also divine intervention and the possibility of rebuilding on stronger foundations. Through losing Foxcat, I:
Learned to accept the unexpected with grace.
Discovered the power of alchemizing pain into creativity.
Found connection and support, both from loved ones and Foxcat’s enduring spirit.
Staying Resilient in Your Tower Moments
If you’re in the midst of a Tower moment—whether it’s grief, loss, or a major upheaval—know this: you don’t have to do it alone. Witnessing my partner’s grief and allowing him to witness mine was a profound source of strength. Staying open to the mysteries and messages from Foxcat also gave me hope and comfort. Above all, remember that the chaos is temporary, and the rebuilding will come. Let the old fall away, and trust that you’re being guided toward something truer and stronger.
Grief reshaped how I approach life’s challenges. I’ve learned to surrender to change, trust in the process, and stay open to the magic that can emerge from even the darkest moments. The Tower may shake your foundations, but it also clears the way for something beautiful to grow.
