This past week was a very sad one at our home. We had to say goodbye to Beatrice, our cat who had been diagnosed with cancer more than a year ago. She has always been a strong-willed kitty, and she surprised everyone by fighting this disease for such a long time.
But last week that fight came to an end, and she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
When Beatrice showed up in our yard so many years ago, she was obviously pregnant. My daughter named her Beatrice, which we later found out meant "bringer of joy and happiness." Well, she was the "bringer" of four kittens, and two of them made their home with us, as did Beatrice. The other two kittens found new forever homes, but Shel and her brother, Zombie, adopted us.
We lost Zombie to another form of cancer several years ago, another very sad time.
One year, Beatrice was featured on some of our Christmas cards. She always seemed to have a rather surly look on her face. We often joked that if she were a human, she probably would have a cigarette in one hand and a shot of whiskey in the
other.
But her personality was just one of her charms that we will dearly miss. Each cat certainly has his or her own personality. And Beatrice made no bones about being one tough lady.
But she also was a love!
Beatrice loved to lounge on the windowsill and take in the great outdoors. We will miss her presence.
Here daughter Shel and Beatrice snuggle in front of the fire. Shel loved constantly being with her mom… She misses Beatrice so much.
The photo below was taken on her last night with us … Beatrice so loved the fireplace. She brought so much joy to our home … and has left a major void.
Beatrice, we'll never forget you!
It's Memorial Day, the unofficial start to the summer season.
Yes, it's a day when people are at the mountains or down the shore.
Some may be braving that first day at the pool.
And there's bound to be lots of picnics and barbecues ... eat, eat eat.
And of course stores have been touting their holiday sales for weeks now.
There's nothing wrong with any of this, but Memorial Day is much more than a day to kick back, party or shop.
It is a day to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.
It doesn't matter what your politics are, how you may feel about some of the actions of the United States or if you like the current president or not.
This is a day to salute all who were willing to serve and die so that our freedoms would not perish.
We may complain about aspects of our government or country, but remember that we are lucky to have the right to complain. We can vote, we can change things if we are dedicated -- so many people around the world don't have our freedoms.
So at the very least, take a few moments to remember all of the men and women who died so that we can live in freedom. We owe so much to them.
AND please be sure to check out Mom on Caffeine's blog, which features letters from her brother, Robin, who was killed in Vietnam. He was just a local teen when he served his country and made the ultimate sacrifice, and you can't help but be moved by Martha's salute to her brother who died so many years ago.
Thank you, Robin, and your brothers and sisters in arms.
We can never repay you for your sacrifice, but you are not forgotten.
"Somehow myself survived the night and entered with the day."
-- Emily Dickinson
This winter has been so gray, gloomy, cloudy, misty, dark and, yes, depressing. At least for me and many of my friends and family members.
But today is the first day of spring! And that prompted me to think of the Dickinson quote noted above, which has helped me make it through many a challenging time.
Yesterday I wondered around my soggy yard for a bit, because it was so great to be outside with the sun shining. And I discovered these crocuses, which also "survived the night" of winter.
They made me smile, my heart sing.
So celebrate the fact that we have survived winter!
