Sad, but so Beautiful

This little story is so beautiful I had to share. Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one! 

The little orange boy stopped.
Behind him, kitties were playing, chasing each other and
wrestling in the warm sunshine.
It looked like so much fun, but in front of him, through
the clear stillness of the pond's water, he could see his mommy.
And she was crying.
He pawed at the water, trying to get at her, and when
that didn't work, he jumped into the shallow water. All that got him was wet and Mommy's image danced away in the ripples.
"Mommy!" he cried. "Is something wrong?" The little orange boy turned
around.

A lady was standing at the edge of the pond, her eyes
sad but filled with love.
The little orange boy sighed and walked out of the water.
"There's been a mistake," he said. "I'm not supposed to be here."
He looked back at the water.
It was starting to still again and his mommy's image was coming back.
"I'm just a baby. Mommy said it had to be a mistake. She said I wasn't
supposed to come here yet." The kind lady sighed and sat down on the grass.
The little orange boy climbed into her lap.
It wasn't Mommy's lap, but it was almost as good.
When she started to pet him and scratch under his chin like he liked, he
started to purr. He hadn't wanted to, but he couldn't help it.
"I'm afraid there is no mistake. You are supposed to be
here and your mommy knows it deep down in her heart," the lady said.
The little orange boy sighed and laid his head on the lady's leg.
"But she's so sad. It hurts me to see her cry. And daddy too."
"But they knew right from the beginning this would happen."
"That I was sick?"

That surprised the little orange boy.
No one had ever said anything and he had listened when
they thought he was sleeping.
All he had heard them talk about was how cute he was, or
how fast he was or how big he was getting.
"No, not that you were sick," the lady said.
"But you see, they chose tears."
"No, they didn't," the little orange boy argued. Who would choose to cry?
The lady gently brushed the top of his head with a kiss.
It made him feel safe and loved and warm - but he still worried about his mommy.

"Let me tell you a story," the lady said.
The little orange boy looked up and saw other animals gathering around.
Cats - Big Boy and Snowball and Shamus and Abby and little Cleo and Robin.
Merlin and Toby and Iggy and Zachary. Sweetie and Kamatte and OBie.
Dogs too- Sally and Baby and Morgan and Rocky and Belle.
Even a lizard named Clyde and some rats named Saffron and
Becky and a hamster named Odo.
They all lay down near the kind lady and looked up at her, waiting.
She smiled at them and began:

A long long time ago, the Loving Ones went to the Angel
in Charge. They were lonesome and asked the Angel to help them.
The Angel took them to a wall of windows and let them
look out the first window at all sorts of things - dolls and stuffed
animals and cars and toys and sporting events. "Here are things
you can love," the Angel said. "They will keep you from being lonesome."
"Oh, thank you," the Loving Ones said. "These are just what we need."
"You have chosen Pleasure," the Angel told them.

But after a time the Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.
"Things are okay to love," they said. "But they don't care that we love them."
The Angel in Charge led them over to the second window. It looked out at all sorts of wild animals. "Here are animals to love," he said. "They will know you love them."
So the Loving Ones hurried out to care for the wild
animals. "You have chosen Satisfaction," the Angel said.

Some of the Loving Ones worked at zoos and wild animal
preserves, some just had bird feeders in their yards, but after a time they
all came back to the Angel in Charge.
"They know we love them," they told the Angel. "But they don't love us back. We want to be loved in return."
So the Angel took them to the third window and showed
them lots of people walking around, hurrying places.
"Here are people for you to love," the Angel told them.
So the Loving Ones hurried off to find other people to love.
"You have chosen Commitment," the Angel said.

But after a time a lot of Loving Ones came back to the
Angel in Charge.
"People were okay to love," they said. "But sometimes
they stopped loving us and left. They broke our hearts."
The Angel just shook his head. "I cannot help you," he said.
"You will have to be satisfied with the choices I gave you."

As the Loving Ones were leaving, someone saw a window
off to one side and hurried to look out.
Through it, they could see puppies and kittens and dogs
and cats and lizards and hamsters and ferrets.
The other Loving Ones hurried over. "What about these?" they asked.
But the Angel just tried to shoo them away.
"Those are Personal Empathy Trainers," he said.
"But there's a problem with their system operations."
"Would they know that we love them?" someone asked.
"Yes," the Angel said.
"Would they love us back?" another asked.
"Yes," the Angel said.
"Will they stop loving us?" someone else asked.
"No," the Angel admitted. "They will love you forever."
"Then these are what we want," the Loving Ones said.
But the Angel was very upset.

"You don't understand," he told them. "You will have to
feed these animals."
"That's all right," the Loving Ones said.
"You will have to clean up after them and take care of them forever."
"We don't care."
The Loving Ones did not listen. They went down to where
the Pets were and picked them up, seeing the love in their own hearts
reflected in the animals' eyes.

"They were not programmed right," the Angel said. "We can't offer a
warranty. We don't know how durable they are. Some of their systems
malfunction very quickly, others last a long time."
But the Loving Ones did not care.
They were holding the warm little bodies and finding
their hearts so filled
with love that they thought they would burst.
"We will take our chances," they said.
"You do not understand." The Angel tried one more time.
"They are so dependent on you that even the most well-made of them is
not designed to out live you. You are destined to suffer their loss."
The Loving Ones looked at the sweetness in their arms
and nodded.
"That is how it should be. It is a fair trade for the
love they offer."

The Angel just watched them all go, shaking his head.
"You have chosen Tears," he whispered.

"So it is," the kind lady told the kitties.
"And so each mommy and daddy knows. When they take a baby into their heart, they know that one day it will leave them and they will cry."
The little orange boy sat up. "So why do they take us in?" he asked.
"Because even a moment of your love is worth years of pain later."
"Oh."

The little orange boy got off the lady's lap and went back to the edge of the pond. His mommy was still there, and still crying.
"Will she ever stop crying?" he asked the kind lady.
She nodded. "You see, the Angel felt sorry for the
Loving Ones, knowing how much they would suffer. He couldn't take the tears away but he made them special."

She dipped her hand into the pond and let the water
trickle off her fingers.
"He made them healing tears, formed from the special water here.
Each tear holds bits of all the happy times of purring
and petting and shared love.
And the promise of love once again.

As your mommy cries, she is healing. It may take a long
while, but the tears will help her feel better. In time she will be less sad
and she will smile when she thinks of you.
And then she will open her heart again to another little baby."
"But then she will cry again one day," the little orange
boy said.

The lady just smiled at him as she got to her feet.
"No, she will love again. That is all she will think
about."
She picked up Big Boy and Snowball and gave them hugs,
then scratched
Morgan's ear just how she liked.

"Look," she said. "The butterflies have come. Shall we
go over to play?"
The other animals all ran ahead, but the little orange
boy wasn't ready to leave his mommy.
"Will I ever get to be with her again?"
The kind lady nodded.
"You'll be in the eyes of every kitty she looks at.
You'll be in the purr of
every cat she pets. And late at night, when she's fast
asleep, your spirit will snuggle up close to her and you both will feel at
peace.

One day soon, you can even send her a rainbow to tell her you're safe
and waiting here for when it's her turn to come."
"I would like that," the little orange boy said and took
one long look at his mommy.
He saw her smile slightly through her tears and he knew
she had remembered the time he almost fell into the bathtub.
"I love you, Mommy," he whispered. "It's okay if you
cry."

He glanced over at the other pets, running and playing
and laughing with the butterflies.
"Uh, Mommy? I gotta go play now, okay? But I'll be
around, I promise."
Then he turned and raced after the others.

Author unknown

Have a wonderful holiday.

Thursday Thoughts

Life is the gift of nature; beautiful
living is the gift of wisdom.

Celtic 

Getting better.

Good morning everyone.  They say the temps are going to rise to the 60's today.  It's about time.  Yesterday I took a long walk--16 blocks and sat in the park for a few.  Still not warm enough to really enjoy it.  But, it's the 16 blocks that makes me happy.  Last year at this time I couldn't walk one block without stopping to catch my breath.  Now it's a nonstop walk...and at a good speed.  Feeling pretty darned good about myself.

This morning I'm off to Weight Watchers.  Last week I remained the same.  Hoping for a loss this week.  Took note of mistakes made last week and didn't make them again this week.  But, one never knows.  One day with a lot of sodium can throw off the scale.

Anybody get caught out there on April Fools?  My Facebook game , Forbidden Garden, caught me good  yesterday. I was playing and when I clicked one of the buttons, all the writing went not only upside down, but to opposite sides--top to bottom, right to left. I got really upset because I couldn't figure out what I had done. I tried clicking buttons but everything remained the same so I decided to log out and then log in again. When I did a big APRIL FOOLS came across the screen and everything was back to normal.

Yesterday I packed one of my winter coats away and set another aside for Good Will.  It's swimming on me now, and I don't plan on putting on weight just so I can get into it again.  Kept one coat out...in case.  Took my spring jacket to the cleaners and sorted through my button down sweaters.  Some will be great for those cool spring evenings.

Well, that's about it for today. Hope you all have a good one....and enjoy this great weather.

On Letting Go

Late February and March have signified a time of letting go for me...letting go of my beloved Miss Minga, of the senior center that helped me cope with the early days of my retirement, of groups and friends that were holding me back, of clothing that no longer fits, of blogs that had run their course, and now, as April arrives, it is time to let go of my grief and remember the joy and love Miss Minga brought me, the lessons she taught of unconditional love and of learning how to let go when the time comes. 

So, rather than the usual quote, here is a copy of one of my favorites, "On Letting Go" in honor of my little angel.  I love you little girl.

To "let go" does not mean to stop caring.
It means I can't do it for someone else.

To "let go" is not to cut myself off.
It's the realization that I can't control another.

To "let go" is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another.
It's to make the most of myself.

To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about.

To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

To "let go" is not to be in the middle, arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.

To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue,
but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.

To "let go" is to fear less and to love more.

Unknown

Tuesday Ramble

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once one grows up.

Pablo Picasso

Good morning everyone.  Stayed in yesterday and found plenty to do.  I spent the morning doing some indoor gardening.  Transplanted all but my hanging plants.  I need new planters for them.  A peer in art class gave me a Chia herb garden she had received as a gift, but cannot use because she doesn't have large enough window sills. However, after reading the instructions, I felt it was still too cool to plant them.  Personally, I've never purchased any Chia products so I am not sure what to expect.

Anybody ever try these.  Awesome, and only two Weight Watcher points.

I had joined a Facebook group for those who have lost their feline friends, and at first I loved it.  And for awhile, it was just what I needed.  A place to express my grief where everyone understood what I was going through. But, yesterday I realized it was holding me back from moving past my grief.  I found myself becoming enmeshed in everyone else's grief.  They would post about their cats death with a picture of their beloved fur baby, and I'd find myself sobbing, and soon the overwhelming grief over the loss of Miss Minga would return.  When I woke up yesterday and checked Facebook and ended up beginning my day in tears, I knew I had to leave the group.  There was no way I was going to be able to stay and offer support to anyone as I was too fragile myself.

It's not that I want to forget her.  I will never do that.  But I want to come to that place where I can remember and focus of the joys that she brought me and not stay mired in this dark pit I seem to have fallen in.  To do that I cannot be looking at photos of people holding their beloveds in the last few moments of their life.  Personally, I don't think photos like that should be put out there for all to see, and if one chooses to have a photo of that time, that is their 'personal' choice, but it wasn't mine.   I play that picture in my mind over and over again.  I don't need a photo to remind me. 

Practiced painting yesterday.  Wanted to do something for spring.  I sure do have a lot to learn when it comes to painting flowers.  Looks like a school kid did this one.  LOL!!!!  I think I do best when I keep it simple, but I've been unable to do that.  I always keep adding more and more.  I'm waiting on a book from Amazon about drawing and painting flowers.  This was just a practice run.  Don't think I'll be hanging this on my wall.

Speaking of art, that's where I am headed today so I'd best get a move on.  Time to shower and have a bite to eat before I go.  Hoping you all have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That.

Life is meant to be fun, and fun is a sure antidote to disappointment.  A million things have brought me joy, or laughter, or most important, the experience of beauty.  Read.  Plant a potato, and discover a treasure chest of new ones when you dig them.  Walk down a northern path in the springtime, and try to count the dogwood blossoms and the trilliums.  Read Shakespeare.  Discover love.  Then look up at the stars and reach for them.

Richard Cutler

Good morning everyone.  Thanks to those who wished me a happy birthday last week.  It meant a lot to me knowing that someone cares.  I've been having quite a hard time dealing with the loss of Miss Minga. I cry all the time.  Missing her so much.  She was my anchor, my boss, and I'm finding it hard to cope with being in my home without her.  

Last week I saw the endocrinologist and the good news is that it has been five months without medication, and my thyroid levels still remain normal.  She wants to me to go for a sonogram, though, before our next visit because it is slightly enlarged.  It seems as if one grows older there is always something.

I have finally finished going to the old center.  I went once last week to pick up my Avon and will go no more.  Spring is coming, and soon there will be lots to do.  Why spend time at a place where I am no longer happy?  Clients there refuse to grow.  (Seems strange calling myself a client after all my years of counseling).  They are set in their ways and don't want to learn.  They cannot understand 'why' I need a computer or a smart phone.   Not a good space for a lifelong learner like me.   I am not content to sit and play bingo and cards all day.  I want something to keep my mind active....which is why....

....I am hoping to go back to school for the summer semester.  The local college has a grant where seniors can pay an $80 registration fee and take college courses.  I could even get another degree if I want...which is wait and see on my part.  I would like to take up health and nutrition, something far different from the career I had chosen and something dear to my heart.  

I also plan to get out to Coney Island more than once like last year.  As I continue to lose weight the pain from walking is lessening, and I am able to get about a lot more.  On Friday I walked 16 blocks.  That's a biggie for me.  Not too long ago I couldn't go more than a block without losing my breath or stopping to lean on my cane in an attempt to relieve the pain.  What a difference 32 pounds makes.  And I can just imagine how good it will be when I lose the next 32.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Nothing major over the weekend.  Stayed in Saturday and did quite a bit of cleaning.  Wrote some letters and addressed some cards for the card group I am in.  On Sunday went to church and came home to prepare for the week to come.   It's a shame that for another year there was a visual police presence guarding the church.  What has the world come to?

Have a great day.

Wednesday Quote

As I started to picture the trees in the storm, the answer began
to dawn on me. The trees in the storm don't try to stand up
straight and tall and erect. They allow themselves to bend and
be blown with the wind. They understand the power of letting
go. Those trees and those branches that try too hard to stand
up strong and straight are the ones that break. Now is not the
time for you to be strong, Julia, or you, too, will break.

Julia Butterfly Hill

Monday Morning This and That

 Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.

Jean Paul Richter

Good morning everyone.  How about that snow on Friday?  Winter just isn't going lightly this year.  The news said there is a possibility of another storm come Friday, but hopefully that won't be snow.  Nonetheless, I started my spring cleaning on Saturday.  Worked my butt off.  Started packing away some winter I know I won't be using again this year and dug out some spring.  Cleaned out closets and drawers.  Washed all my knickknacks, dusted, put new doilies on, swept and mopped, etc.  There was no resting for the weary.  

Today is my birthday. Time is flying far too fast for me.  Can't keep up with it. Can't believe I am 68 years old today, or I will be at 12:06 pm, and guess what?  I've got an appointment with the endocrinologist in the morning.  Now I wish I had changed it when I had a chance. Thank goodness it's not an every week thing.  It's quite a long journey to get there. Takes about an hour and two buses.  So that will be two hours of traveling today.  What a way to spend one's birthday.

I've been practicing working with watercolor and my first attempt at real art is a portrait of my sweet baby girl, Miss Minga.  I swear, I miss her more and more each day.  Little memories come up, and before I know it, the tears are flowing.  This portrait was one of my ways to honor my little angel.  Once I get into acrylics, I'll do another painting.  I see here where I made my mistakes and won't make them again.

Well, that's about it for this weekend.  Aside from all my housework, it was a quiet one.  Have a wonderful Monday.