To all of you who shared your own stories of loss, and left condolences on the passing of my dad, please know I read every single one of them, and they meant so much to me. The first day after he was gone was so quiet and strange. We had become accustomed to the sound of his oxygen machine, and when we turned it off, the silence was deafening, and we’d become so used to talking in whispers, that it took us several hours to start using our normal indoor voices, but we are all doing fine now, and more than anything feel relief that he isn’t suffering and struggling for every breath.
The day after he passed away, I jokingly told my mom she should get a pet to keep her company.
We had lots of pets when I was growing up, but my mom isn’t really a big animal person herself, and she responded, “No way.”
I knew that would be her response, but just had to test the waters anyway.
But today my sister and I were walking from my sister’s house back to my mom’s when we heard a pitiful meowing. Her dogs took off running toward the sound and we spotted a little kitty on the side of the dirt road. Moments later, we heard another meow, and there sat another little kitty. We picked the kittens up, then scouted around to make sure there weren’t any more.
Most of her neighbors (there are only a few) were gone at work, so we couldn’t check to see if the kittens belonged to any of them, but my mom and sister live in a very rural area, where sadly animals frequently get dumped, or are wild because there are many people who have pets that aren’t neutered or spayed, so we don’t really expect anyone to claim them, although we will try to find the owners.
In the meantime, we continued over to my mom’s house with the two kittens in hand.
We told her we had a surprise for her, and she responded exactly as I figured she would, “Oh, good grief!”
We’re trying our best to convince her that she may need those little kitties as much as they need someone to care for them.
We don’t have her convinced yet, but in the meantime we discussed names for them.
They are both girls, so my vote is for Lucy and Ethel.
Getting a photo of them together was nearly impossible. The black one wouldn’t sit still for more than a split second.
This little girl was a very cooperative subject though, and if we didn’t already have two cats back home, I would be tempted to take one of them.
Wish us luck that we either find the owners, or that Lucy and Ethel meow their way into my mom’s heart! 🙂
My husband and youngest son drove out to pick me up, so we’ll be hitting the road this evening to go back home.
I’ve said so many goodbyes in the last few months, that I hate to do it again, but I am ready to get back home with all of my family.
Vaya con Dios,
I hope your mom will warm up to these sweet kitties, Angie. Cats are such wonderful companions and they are so much fun to watch. Our two cats make me smile or laugh so often. For me, having a purring cat sitting on my lap, is one of the best things ever. It’s so calming. I keep my fingers crossed, that Lucy and Ethel can move in with your mom.
I have been very busy with a situation with my own dad Angie, so I hadn’t realized that your dad passed. Please accept my belated sympathy. We too had a family friend living with us on the oxygen machine who passed 4 years ago next month. It takes awhile to adjust. It sometimes feels like you are struggling to breathe with them. It does get better with prayer and each new day. God bless you and your family. Hope your mom falls in love again- with the catties.
I remember how quiet and strange the house felt after my father’s passing, too…and the feeling of sadness, with relief that the suffering is over. I hope those kitties will bring a little comfort to your mother, if only for a little while. Love to you all, as you make your way through these hard days…safe travels home…xoxo
Drive safely on your way home – and know that your Mum will find comfort and solace looking after those 2 little souls – who knows, maybe they knew your Mum needed them as much as they needed her – and you were the conduit to bring them together <3 Sending love and light <3
Yes, I know what you mean about the quiet. My house was so silent after my husband passed that I almost could not stand it. Little by little it got better. Hopefully your Mom will let the little kitties help her through this time of loss and change if only for a short while. Take care of yourself. You and your family are in my prayers.
Lucy and Ethel…how adorable! I hope your Mom will warm up to them, but I understand how she feels. I keep wanting a dog but know they are a lot of work and I don’t have a fenced in yard. I hope you enjoy getting back to your family and I understand how hard the past few months have been on you. My prayers are with you Angie…
You have learned to take such beautiful photos, Angie!! Lucy & Ethel are adorable, and I too hope they wiggle their way into your mom’s heart. Will she be able to take care of them? If so, they ALL will be lucky! Prayers still flowing your way, Mare
You are in my prayers, Angie!
When I saw these babies it reminded me of my grandma who adopted two kittens shortly after my grandfather passed away. She said their presence helped her so much during such a terrible time and I love that they always keep her smiling. I hope you can convince your mom to keep them!
I hope that if no one claims the little kittens, your Mom will give in and keep them. She needs them just as much as they need her. Prayers still going up for you and your family. God Bless you all. The little kittens are adorable!!!!
I’m sure your mom will warm up to Lucy and Ethel, how could she not. I have a Lucy of my own and she is my heart! Safe travels home and keep us all posted on the kittens.
Awwww how adorable Lucy & Ethel are!!! They say everything happens for a Reason, so maybe just maybe your Mom will take them in.. God Bless
Angie, condolences on the passing of of your dad! Reading about your dad and seeing these little kitties made me thing about my dad who passed away a year and a half ago, and my mom who seemed lost. My mom is NOT a pet person at all, unlike her children. I worked on her for months about getting a dog to keep her company and she would not hear of it. She cared for my dad till the end and her life has been defined as a caregiver. My niece brought her a little puppy and when she saw that puppy’s sweet little face, she was couldn’t say no. She has had Bella for 6 months now and it has changed her life!!! I hope your mom will reconsider, it truly was a blessing!!
I’ve been out of town so I’m catching up on many fronts. So sorry to hear of your father’s passing – please accept my sympathies.
I’m not much of a cat guy but Lucy and Ethel are pretty cute. Hope your mom comes around cause you’re right, they may have popped up for a reason and be just what she needs!
David
I don’t believe in coincidence, so I think you were supposed to find those kitties, and bring them to your mom. I hope she feels moved to keep and love them, since we all know that will help her. And BTW, that’s not a black cat — it’s a tortoiseshell, more affectionately known to the breed’s many admirers as “torties.” It’s almost certainly a girl, because — as with calicos — only 3% of them are male. There’s a really great resource for info at TheConsciousCat.com. Blogger Ingrid King is a tortie devotee and a generous sharer of her knowledge. Good luck and hugs to you, Angie, as you and your family begin a new chapter on this other side of your loss.