Start With the End in Mind: Zam’s Story – Chapter One : A Gentle Goodbye

#Zam’sStory #StartWithTheEndInMind

Previous Chapter: Introduction: Read Here – A Legacy of Love and Lessons

Chapter One : A Gentle Goodbye

Zam always knew what she wanted, and she had a way of making her wishes clear. Even in her final days, her steady presence guided Kim through one of the most profound experiences of her life - supporting Zam’s choice for a natural passing.

Joanne and Kim’s Reflection: Listen closely to this moment: 🎧

It had been months since the diagnosis. Kidney failure, the vet had said, though Zam showed no signs of illness at first. She continued her routine with her usual calm, matter-of-fact nature, as if to reassure Kim and Jim that there was nothing to worry about. But as time went on, the symptoms became harder to ignore.

Kim’s Reflection: Listen closely to this moment: 🎧

Kim vividly remembers the moment she sat down with Zam in the garden to ask her the question that had been lingering in her mind. “How can I make this transition the best for you? What do you need?” At first, Zam didn’t respond. She looked at Kim with those wise, unwavering eyes and then, as if the thought had always been there, said, “Under the tree.”

That big tree in the garden had always been her favourite spot. It offered shade in the summer and a vantage point to watch over her family. Kim’s heart ached at the thought of losing her, but she promised herself she would honour Zam’s wish.

The days leading up to Zam’s transition were both challenging and beautiful. Kim and Jim adjusted their schedules, cancelling clients and working from home to ensure they could be fully present. The house became a sanctuary of peace and love, with friends stopping by to say their goodbyes and share quiet moments with Zam. Even the animals seemed to understand. Jango and Zorii gave Zam her space, watching her from a distance with quiet respect.

One afternoon, as Zam lay in the garden, something remarkable happened. The resident fox, a familiar but elusive figure, appeared at the edge of the grass. It approached Zam slowly, paused, and gave a small nod before disappearing into the trees. Kim watched, moved by the quiet exchange. “It was like the universe was acknowledging her,” she says. “A recognition of her journey.”

On the night of her passing, Zam was peaceful. Jim had taken the other dogs to their nose work class, leaving Kim and Zam alone. Kim worked with aromatics earlier that day, offering scents that brought Zam comfort.

Zam lay on the couch, her breathing slow but steady. When Jim returned, it was as if she had been waiting for the family to be whole again. She took her last breath at 1:15 in the morning. It wasn’t under the tree as she had envisioned, but her ashes were placed there later. “It felt right,” Kim says. “That tree was her space, her sanctuary.”

Joanne and Kim’s Reflection: Listen closely to this moment: 🎧

Kim reflects on the experience with a mix of gratitude and reverence. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most beautiful. She taught me so much about patience and trust, about letting go of my own expectations and allowing things to unfold naturally.”

Even in her grief, Kim found comfort in their continued connection. Signs of Zam’s presence appeared in small but significant ways - a synchronistic moment, a gentle nudge, or a fleeting feeling of warmth. “She’s still here,” Kim says. “In every leaf of that tree, in every quiet moment. She’s here.”

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Insight:

When approaching end-of-life decisions, ask yourself: Are you truly listening to their wishes, or projecting your fears? Trust the connection you share to guide you both through the journey.

Read the Story in Order:

(Links will be added as chapters are published)

📌 Introduction: Read Here – A Legacy of Love and Lessons

📖 Chapter 1: A Gentle Goodbye – You Are Here
📖 Chapter 2: The Presence of Spirit – Read Here
📖 Chapter 3: Grief Transformed – Read Here
📖 Chapter 4: Zam’s Legacy – Read Here
📖 Chapter 5: The Lessons in Listening – Read Here
📖 Chapter 6: A Life Shared – Read Here
📖 Bonus Chapter: Becoming an Animal Communicator: Letting Animals Lead – To be added