Monday, June 24, 2013

Remembering....

This Monday has had a rather tough beginning for us.

We learned over the week-end of the passing of a friend and former colleague of The Husband.  We are remembering trips to the beach, dinners shared, brunches before football games, company Christmas parties, celebrating New Year's Eve, good golfing excursions for The Husband, and attending the weddings of his daughters.  We rejoiced with him and his wife at their 50th wedding anniversary, then shared his sorrow at her passing several years ago.  As The Husband made a career change, so did some of the occasions for us to spend time together.  He had not been in good health for a few years, though he lived to celebrate his 87th birthday!  He will be missed, not only by his family, but by his many friends.

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It was a bit over 28 years ago when we added a kitten as a pet for our family.

Shadow and Ashes

He came to us at three weeks old as his mother passed unexpectedly.  He was so tiny that he was able to curl up on the toe of my shoe as I was working/standing in the kitchen.  We named him Ashes, inspired by the gray of his coat.  Ashes lived a long life until 18 1/2 when we had to make that fateful trip to the vet. 

Shadow is the black cat in the picture.  Ashes was 7 years old when Shadow arrived on the scene.  Shadow was one of four in a litter belonging to the neighbor's cat, but born in our doghouse, long abandoned by our aging dachshund.  Never intending to keep any of the kittens, this one just sort of seemed to "insist" on becoming a member of the family.:-)  We mentioned many times that he was the factor in keeping Ashes young, as he would attack Ashes in a playful mood for quite a number of years!

There are many other memories we have of Shadow, and they will be all we have, as today he made that final trip to the vet.:-(  Though he had ventured out following The Husband to the garden one time this season, and though he had made a few afternoon visits to the patio, we knew the time would more than likely come very soon when he would no longer be able to manage moving about.  That time came late Sunday afternoon. 

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So, The Husband and I are both in rather somber moods, spending a lot of "remembering time," and we are thankful that we have many happy memories.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

22 comments:

  1. i am so sorry for your losses. spend time remembering and be kind to yourself.

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  2. Sorry for the loss of your friend. I will have you in my thoughts.xoxo,Susie

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  3. Sorry for the loss of your friend. I will have you in my thoughts.xoxo,Susie

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  4. awww, take care, hard times for you, my condolences,

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  5. Ooh dear, so very sorry Nellie.
    My thoughts are with you and your husband, saying our goodbyes are never easy.
    {hugs}
    ~Jo

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  6. Oh, Nellie, I'm so sorry for your losses. Deepest sympathies.

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  7. Oh- I am so sorry, Nellie. I know how hard it is to lose a friend and a beloved pet, too. You are in my thoughts-xo Diana

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  8. My deepest condolences, Nellie. At these times memories are more than precious, they are connections:)

    Thank you so much for sharing...

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  9. Oh Nellie, that is so sad! I am sorry for your loses and hope that a time of remembering will bring you some joy.

    hugs,
    Linda

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  10. I am so sorry about the loss of a friend and a beloved pet. Hugs for you!

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  11. I'm really sorry that your beloved Shadow is no longer with you. I remember how I cried when I had to bring each one of my beautiful cats for their last trip to the vet. I cried for days and felt so bad that I had to bring them to the vet. It still hurt thinking of it.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  12. One thing that happens to us as our lives grow longer is that we stay around to witness the passing of those whom we have loved and appreciated. I'm sure you were a comfort to the family of your Husband's former co-worker. If there can be any comfort for you as you learn to face days without Shadow, let it be that you know he had the best life he could have had with you and your girls. He was a special kitty, and everyone in the family will miss him. Thoughts and prayers for all of you, dear Sister!

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  14. I'm so sorry for your losses. Sending you extra hugs from Arkansas. We're 1,000 miles away from our normal MI location. ((((hugs))))

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  15. Sorry for your losses, Dear One.

    Many gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  16. Sorry for the loss of your friend. Days of rememberances like that are certainly tough. Memories are so bittersweet aren't they?

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  17. So sorry Nellie.

    "Be still and know that I am God"

    Gentle Hugs!

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  18. Oh Nellie,
    I am so sorry for your loss. It is nice to remember sometimes though. They give a sweet kind of comfort.
    It means we have lived life. :)Blessings to you my friend.

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  19. Oh how sad and I am so sorry for your loss.
    You have many happy memories and your friend and kitty will live in your hearts.
    I pray God gives you comfort.

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  20. Praying that you find God's peace in your goodbyes and know that what is left behind in your hearts is the best part of those who have journeyed on. I will keep you in my thoughts and prays this week as you move on without them.

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  21. So sorry about your losses...both of your friend and your kitty. I know how difficult it is to lose especially a pet...they are so close to their owners, it's really hard. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.

    Blessings,
    Gert

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  22. I'm sorry for both your losses, Nellie. How heartbreaking. Love to you and yours. ♥

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