CENTRE COUNTY — We’ve all had them. Those moments when life as we knew it was shattered and we’re left trying to pick up the pieces. I’ve found that sometimes nature has a way of bringing those pieces together when we least expect it.
I remember sitting in our reproductive endocrinologist’s office while he called my husband to tell him he needed to leave his work on one of its busiest days to meet me at the hospital where I was going to have emergency surgery. This surgery was my seventh laparoscopy to remove our fifth ectopic pregnancy and sixth pregnancy loss. It was a shattering moment.
I also remember the morning when I saw an incoming call from my brother-in-law and was afraid to answer in fear he would say my sister-in-law had died. I answered and that is exactly what he said. Our world was splintered.
In early 2024, I remember seeing the team of doctors walk into my dad’s hospital room. I dreaded the conversation we were going to have. In a few words, the lead doctor explained that there was nothing more they could do to help my dad heal from his injuries as the result of a fall. His body was shutting down and the doctor recommended comfort measures. I could literally feel pieces of myself scatter around the room.
Shattering moments undo us. Who we were no longer exists and it can be hard to find ways to rebuild our lives. Often, nature makes it easier.
At a previous Alchemy of Equus event – basically a “horse coaching session” – Erika Isler, certified Equus coach, encouraged each participant to move closer to a single horse that attracted them, and see what unfolded. Participants petted the horses, talked to them, and paid attention to how that experience made them feel in their heads, hearts, bodies, and souls.
Each participant was moved in some way. Some felt affirmed, others stronger, and still others clearer. But there was one person who felt disappointed. She was anticipating a powerful interaction like the others, but came away feeling like nothing profound had occurred.
Erika proceeded to ask this woman what she was most present to in her life at that time. This woman stood before the rest of us and expressed worry, fear, and concern about upcoming losses in her life.
What happened then blew us all away. In the next few minutes as we stood there in our group, three different horses came out of their way to stand with this woman, look at her, lower their heads, and lean into her petting. It felt very clear that the horses were sending encouragement.
The horses (nature) were, whether intentionally or not, helping this woman put shattered pieces of her life back together. She didn’t have to do a lot of talking or analyzing, like we sometimes need to do. All she had to do was spend a morning with a herd of horses and she experienced healing from the inside out. Previously shattered moments began to be healed.
And she wasn’t alone. Other participants used words like “magic,” “on the right path,” “trust,” “gratitude,” and “peaceful growth” to describe this experience. Each time I’m involved in these events with horses, I feel my own shattering moments lose some of their hold on me.
You’re invited to join Erika and me at our next Alchemy of Equus so you too can be a part of one of nature’s ways of re-membering us. We’ll meet on Friday, September 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Buffalo Run Farm, 2929 Buffalo Run Road, Bellefonte. Horses help us explore our innermost feelings by reflecting back to us exactly as we are in every moment. This offers us a unique insight into grief, loss, compassion, and resilience. No horse experience is required. It is a hands-on workshop with no riding involved. There is a $75 investment and space is limited to six people. Registration is required and can be done by emailing me at Jackie@JackieHook.com.
You are also invited to join us at the following gatherings where you can talk about your shattering moments:
- Med-Knit-ations: Knitting Our Hearts Back Together in Partnership with Centre Region Parks & Recreation on Tuesday, September 9 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Spring Creek Park, Pavilion #2, 901 Houserville Road, State College.
- Stories of Loss in Partnership with Juniper at Brookline on Tuesdays, September 9 and 23 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Juniper at Brookline, 1950 Cliffside Drive, State College.
- Monday’s Moments at Spring Creek Park in Partnership with Centre Region Parks & Recreation on Monday, September 15 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Spring Creek Park, Pavilion #2, 901 Houserville Road, State College.
- Death Café Virtual Gathering on Monday, September 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.
More information on all of these programs can be found on the Bereavement Gatherings and Events page under Resources on the Koch Funeral Home website. To reserve your spot and receive the invitation links, email Jackie@JackieHook.com, call 814-237-2712, or visit the Koch Funeral Home Facebook page.
