Blessings to Chico Bird who passed on this morning ~~~ May her Spirit Fly ~~~   

with sympathy  ...and joy of freedom

To the Spirit of the West....Fly Chico Fly...

Thank You Bear & Wolf for guiding her home  

and Thank You Rob for your kind words

Blessings,

monica 

The Journey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PiMREtgO80

Today has been a very sad day. My home feels so empty and a part of me feels lost. Chico was a sweet cockatiel and the only pet I have ever had. She lived with me for 6 years and I miss her tremendously. I used to joke about living 'alone' however, now I am really 'living alone'.

She would always chirp with enthusiasm when she heard my Jeep pull in the drive and would greet me with joy when I arrived home. She loved music, esp. Indian Flute and Steven Halpern, and she loved to dance. She would sit on my left shoulder and loved it when I would spin round and round...as she would spread her wings. My daily routine revolved around her, in the morning while getting ready for work, when I returned home/dinner and weekends. I used to get so excited to return home and now I feel as though it is the most depressing place to be. I know this is a process and her spirit is free, however, I miss her so.

At the Lodge on Sat. (she passed in the am) I could feel her on my shoulder giving me more of her unconditional love. I will cherish all the moments I had with her.    

Grieving is a process...and I surely am going through it...I had no idea how hard this would be...as she passed so suddenly and I am still unclear what happened...shock, denial, despair, depression and guilt...to everything turn, turn turn....       

Genuine sympathy for your loss Monica....in your recent posts about dancin' and sweatin', i was reminded of esalen veteran Gabrielle Roth("sweat your prayers"). Also i'll bet you know that the Cleveland Gestalt Institute( once home to Fritz Perls and esalen president Gordon Wheeler) is near you. Their therapy/ psychology approach is likely a little different than the "gestalt practice" of esalen described by John Callahan(and Steven Harper)....on a lighter note, has anyone else noticed how Birds are a recurring theme in iThou threads?  Zen Puppy's sparrow rescue, Jenny Wren's raptors, Monica's beloved Chico and mr. Steven's pink flamingos? maybe henry needs to ease up on the ayahuasca? 

Wow...Thank You Henry...once again you have enlightened me with more Esalen connection...yes I am aware of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (going to have to take a walkabout there soon)...and I know of Wheeler's time here as well...I can hardly finish the Upstart Spring....I get too excited...in the early chapters, I had the strangest sensations...as though I was there, at Esalen (flashback?)...mid 1960's....hahahaha...life is full of endless possibility, this is truth ~~~ funny, Big Sur touched me like no other place I have traveled and Esalen has been calling me (back?) for the past 15 years...when I arrive in march (11-18) it will be like coming home ~~~  

 'Sweat Your Prayers' urban shamanism, dance...Love It!  

Birds and ayahuasca...hahaha...I feel a connection there! I greatly appreciate your kind words and you have given me some homework, which is good ~~~

*** Chico was a very special feathered friend and will always live in my heart ~~~

Just ordered Callahan’s Gestalt Practice Manual and Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind

I read Ecopsychology as an undergrad and Loved it…I ended up passing it on to a colleague studying on effects of Nature on child development…as I get closer to my days at Esalen and deeper into human possibilities thought it is the perfect time to refresh on Ecopsyche and explore Gestalt…and how wonderful the authors are so close for discussion….Big Smile ~~~