Saying Goodbye

After 3 surgeries and almost 4 months straight of being in a medical cone because of melanoma on her ear (which returned a 4th time), we decided that the quality of life for our cat was not what we felt it should be.  As of late she's been losing weight and hiding (something she hasn't done since we got her 4 years ago).  So today we did what my family does to pay homage to the pets we've loved. 

We had her put to sleep so she wouldn't suffer just because we wanted her around, and then we planted a tree over her as a tomb stone.

Although we got Mao almost 4 years ago when my husband's best friend moved overseas, we've known her for most of her 14 years of life because we kitten sat her before she was a year old.  Her name when she came to us was Raspkitten but we decided to change it to Mao because she said "mao" in our ears for a 10+ car drive when we took her home with us (and she acted a bit like a fuzzy little dictator when she entered our house). 

She will be missed, but we have the Mao tree to remember her by.  And we hope that we live in this house long enough to be able to eat the Palmello fruits that should grow in a few years.

Going to See Jesus

My Grandmother has been sick for quite some time.  Luckily, our travels to Florida had us only 2.5 hours away, so a couple weeks ago we took a day trip to see her.  While there, she slept most of the time, but I'm very happy we went.  You see those times when she was awake were good.  She became conversational (not overly mind you), and she was definitely taking in everything around her.  It just so happened that 2 of my 3 cousins had come the same day, so she was able to see 3 of her 5 grand-kids all in the same place (for the first time in many years).  Shortly after that trip my grandmother started sleeping more and being awake less, so I'm glad we went when we did.

Since that trip, I've been thinking about what I remember most about my grandmother.  It would probably have to be the time spent together when she would tell me stories and poems she had learned when she was in grade school.  I remember that even at the age of 90 she could recite those poems.  (Why did I not get that ability?)  I also remember a portrait she painted of me from a picture taken outside her home.  It used to sit over the piano at my parent's house (the painting is still there but the piano is not).  I hope that once we are settled somewhere, that I can get that painting.  She was quite the artist and I really wish I'd been able to spend more time with her to learn art and sewing from her.

I love you Grandma!  I am happy that you are no longer in pain and that you are now in the arms of Jesus.  You'll be missed.