Honoring a Spirit's Return

The world watched as a magnificent and brave filly went down. We watched in horror and shock as she lay on the track, not wanting to see and believe the scene that was being played out before us. The flashback of Barbaro was impossible to ignore as we prayed that this would not be the end of another hero. Sadly it was as Eight Belles was euthanized on the track. In a moment the shock turned to disbelief, anger and finally grief as the tears began to start flowing. As I left the track that afternoon I was numb to the pain that I was feeling deep inside, I was suddenly drained of all the adrenaline of watching the Derby. All I could do was close my eyes for awhile in hopes that when I woke I would not feel the pain in my chest that was beginning to suffocate me. As I lay my head on the pillow I began to think of why this event happened. I thought of Barbaro and why during the last couple of years the horses were breaking down on big stages. The truth is horses have been breaking down on the track for years but not until Barbaro broke down in the Preakness did the whole world suddenly learn of the tragedy that happens on the track. I began to wonder if there was a bigger picture, a message that was begging to be heard. Then I began to think about how the death is such a tragedy and how we as a society views death. I believe that when we die it is truly a beautiful thing, a return to home and yet I still fell into the throws of fear and despair as I watched this beautiful creature go down. I grappled with the feeling of wanting to help, to shed light on something that had cast such a shadow on what was supposed to be a wondrous event. It is important for us to see the beauty in this, to find the diamond in the rough, to unite. The message of Eight Belles came through me the other night and it is one that we need to hear, I hope that her message shows you the silver lining and to learn that there is another way to see the events that have transpired.

"The death of mine was not in vain. The death of mine was not a tragedy. I accomplished all I wanted to on this plane of life and left the way it was meant to be. My death should bring about the way this sport is viewed. The way us horses are viewed. We are beings we are fragile and we have feelings too. Do not think that we do not want this life what we lead. We are very happy with what has been chosen by us for us to do. We take great pride in doing and being the things that bring joy to the people around us. I loved my people my family and my place. I loved racing and feeling the ground beneath my feet. Truth yes that my death comes of a surprise. That there was pain deep inside as I fell to the ground. It not pain from the physical it was pain knowing I was leaving behind the ones that I loved. Pain that they would not understand that people would not understand. Our death the big stage in which it was on. It is not here to cause you pain or fear or anger it is simply to show you the grace there is the beauty and for you to take notice and to honor the transition. Do not hang your head in shame as we leave this planet .
Do not walk with your head held against what has happened either. See it for the beauty that it is. We wish you to know that it is important always important to honor our deaths. To leave us with our dignity and pride. To know that the life we have led is the one we chose as to how we left. We know it pains you so to see us so helpless but the truth is in that moment we are powerful. We have surrendered our fates to the gods for them to take us back where we belong. It is a moment truth of beauty and love. Look past the illusion of fear and see the beauty there. There are things that must change, there are things that need to be seen for those that know what is real. We need you as a people to stop running away from the pain you feel as we crash to the ground. We need you to not cover your eyes but to stand up and honor our souls. We want you to see us for spirits for beings just like you. We want you to know we have our purpose we have our place and we love it. Even if there are some that do not love it is what we choose to move beyond. But now we need your help for things are changing so. We need you to see what does flow. Open your eyes now there is no need to fear the death that comes from it. Do not run from your fear do not run from the hurt instead shine a light on it and see what it is worth. Rest assured we are ok we are fine and free and loving our spirits. You must set yourselves free now. Do not cry for us honor us in the moment of beauty we wish for you to honor our path our beings our truths."


The truth is there is no one to blame no one to point the finger at for the death of this great filly. No matter how much we do not understand why it has happened. Instead of turning to anger and blame we must try to see the beauty we must try to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the message these horses are sending to us. We must understand there is a bigger picture that there is so much more than just what is. Our fear paints an illusion of darkness when there is only light. We must honor this brave and loving filly whose essence has touched so many lives. We must honor her message and what she is invoking deep inside. We must unite not separate. Honor these beings that bring us such hope and joy in our lives. They are the messengers of light and deserve to be treated as such. They are worth of our love and our trust. She and Barbaro are trying to show us the magnificence that there is to see in an ending. They are not sad they are happy they are free, so we must also be free from our own pain and illusions of what death is. We must fly and soar just like them. Think not about the how of their death, release the judgments that come with the physical and see only the complete spirit once again.