#57 Honoring Marshmallow and Medicinal Ocean Therapy

Do Badass Adventures always need to be fun and joyous? I guess if we go back to the original definition of Bad Ass Adventure, it’s defined as “something that gets us out of our comfort zone, doing life changing things that create memories”.

Most of my Badass Adventures to date have been fun, silly, daring, or focused on the good parts of life.

This one, though, is a bit different. I’m trying to figure out how to handle a really difficult, heart wrenching situation.

Our beloved dog Marshmallow is at the end of her life and we are having difficult conversations. Painful but necessary conversations. Never having gone through this before, I am in new territory, trying to figure out how to provide her relief from her suffering, yet knowing that whatever happens, those I love most – my kids and my parents – will have their suffering increased.

This post is getting me out of my comfort zone and truly is badass for me. I am not typically comfortable sharing my emotions when they are difficult. Sure, I’m always happy to talk about when I’m happy or excited, but talking about when I’m not – I’m definitely more of a closed book. And asking for help? Nahhhhhh……not the easiest thing for me.

But I’m badassing it and tackling both those things – I’m sharing my difficult emotions here and I am asking for your help.

For those of you who have gone through this before, how did you manage it?

What did you find to be helpful?

What brought you and your family comfort?

Any and all suggestions you have would be appreciated.

For my own grieving process, I’m a champ at compartmentalizing – tucking something away until a time when I can deal with it better. So this weekend was chock full of compartmentalizing opportunities!

I focused on Medicinal Ocean Therapy.

I cannot explain why this happens, but the ocean is better than any counselling, therapy, or medicine I could take. I could be having the most stressful week, but the minute I set foot on the beach, I feel fixed. I am so grateful to live in a place where I can easily heal myself with some ocean therapy whenever I need it.

So this weekend, I made a point to spend as much time in and by the water as possible.

My Badass Gang – now that we have more un-female members, I can’t call it “Badass Babes” anymore! – was there for me and gave me the gift of distraction.

Cindy and Jason hosted a day on the boat with a special trip to Caledesi Island, where we floated in the bay for hours and got to meet Ranger Cheryl, who filled us in on her childhood adventures being raised with chimps in her house and pet lions, opossums and tigers in her backyard. And I got to meet a new “kindred spirit” Sarah – Sarah, you best be getting yourself back up to Tampa again soon. And Susan and I will definitely plan a Miami trip to visit you!

I did my own four mile walks along De Soto’s shoreline twice this weekend, zoning out to The Hunger Games audiobook and looking for those new unique beach things that I always surprise me. This time, I had a clam who spit a stream of water at me when I picked her up, I saw a flock of birds doing a conga line, and found a random egg on the beach. I’m guessing it was a turtle egg? Dunno…but I’m going to look it up to see.

I’m also happy to report that the Coquina are back! Emily and I call these the “Clam Bois” – the shoreline looks like a normal sandy surface until a wave comes in and then thousands of these clam bois suddenly surface, look around a bit, then furiously burrow themselves back in. Em and I hold Clam Boi races. We love them! Not sure, tho, if they love us back.

I also walked around my beloved St. Petersburg with a different perspective on water therapy. Walking along the marina after the market, I got to experience the beauty that this city brings. The sailboats bring back memories of growing up in Marblehead, the reflections of the Dali museum reminds me of going there with Pam, and walking along the sea wall reminds me of the fishing lessons with Bo and evening walks with Traci. I’ve only been here a year and a half, but it is definitely home.

Today, I got to relax with my friends at Treasure Island. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I’ve gotten these amazing people in my life. I am grateful to have people around me who care and support me – during the good times and also during the hard times. Thanks y’all! Love ya to bits.

And I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to share some of my favorite pictures of Marshmallow with you. Hope you enjoy seeing how sweet and beautiful she is. Fifteen years ago, we went into a pet store looking to buy hamster food, and we came out with the most lovely, loyal and crazy dog. Wow! What a good decision that was.

I love you dearly, Schmoo Bungalow.