How to host a pet memorial ♥
Last week, I posted a blog about my cat, Sprite of 21 years who passed away.
21 years is a long time together. I thought the best thing to do was to celebrate our time together, and talk about how her life…and death…affected me with my friends. I posted the event on social media, and invited a small select group of friends/family. The memorial was just last night.
By the end of the night, I ended up hugging several of my friends as they cried on my shoulder too. Sharing my story outloud brought up memories of an animal or person my friends had lost. We were all reminded of what truly matters at the end of life. It was a therapeutic night, for anyone who had experienced grief and loss. I was alone with Sprite at an animal clinic when she passed. Last night I was with an entire room of people who loved animals, me, and Sprite. True friends.
I think every pet deserves a memorial. They love us unconditionally, and are here for us wherever we go. Now that I’ve had such a magical experience remembering my kitty, I am so grateful for it. I want to share how I successfully hosted a memorial for my kitty, so that others might feel inspired to honor their pets too. I watched how much this connected my friends with the pets & loved ones that they’ve had to say goodbye to. My friend apologized afterward for “stealing my spotlight” because she was crying and grieving over her dog, but I told her that a huge reason I hosted this event wasn’t just for me. It was for others to think of and celebrate the life of someone they miss. No apologies needed.
“It’s been a long day, without you my friend..and I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again. We’ve come a long way, from where we’ve began, and I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.” Wiz Khalifa.
Some other tear jerker songs that remind me of Sprite, and others I’ve loved that I’ve lost:
Wind Beneath My Wings-Bette Midler
Somewhere Over The Rainbow-Judy Garland
One Sweet Day-Mariah Carey
Glitter In The Air-PINK
Paradise-Coldplay
Together Again-Janet Jackson
See You Again-Carrie Underwood
The refreshments were all inspired by Sprite’s favorites:
(PS: I made that photo album of Sprite the day before the memorial, and picked it up at Walgreens photo department in less than 24 hours). It made my husband tear up!!!)
PS: I don’t know why I didn’t think to serve SPRITE as the beverage. I think its because people used to confuse her name with the soda, but she was named after a fairy “sprite”, not a beverage. ♥ So I’ve just tuned out affiliating the beverage Sprite with my cat.
My little orange tabby legacy .
Amanda Cupcake
I moved out to Los Angeles from a small Wisconsin town to become a fashion designer, and unexpectedly started my life as a fashion designer for cupcakes instead of people (back in my hometown, a decade later). I am a public figure, locally known as the pink haired quirky & soothing sweet baker who bedazzles my cupcake designs on local television morning shows. I thought my dream was to sell my cupcakes in retailers all over the nation, but in the process discovered that my cupcakes are a medium for me to use my voice. Through my hardships I searched for a light, and that is how I discovered this character I created-Amanda Cupcake. People have called me a real life Rainbow Brite. I think that this pink haired cupcake queen is what my soul looks like! I'm also a 40 something mom to a little ginger named Rebel, who is quickly growing!
