Pumpkin my Friend

I am grateful we decided not to go anywhere and to spend our time at home today.  

I am grateful you came to lay on the couch between Andree and I this afternoon wanting to be petted and loved for almost an hour or so.

I am grateful for the many times you came for a walk with me by the railroad track, around a block or two, through the back alley and up to our place again.

I am grateful for how quickly and how well you adapted to our many moves to different homes in various locations, back and forth from one province to another, and back again.

I am grateful for the zillion times you greeted us and welcomed us home when we walked through the door.

I am grateful for your cuddles and your purrs when we were feeling under the weather and you knew we needed a little extra tender love and care.

I am grateful for how much joy you've brought to Andree and I over the past 17 years. You weren't the friendliest cat, and you made it hard for others to like you. but you were our cat, our munchkin, and we loved you very much. 

I am grateful we found the strength to make the decision that was right by you tonight. 

I'm grateful that the vet we saw was kind, gentle, and compassionate in how she received us and administered her care. That Andree and I were able to hold and love you until your pain subsided and you eventually, quietly slipped away. 

Our hearts hurt as we brought you home and buried you tonight. 

Happy travels as you look out yet another window. 

The house won't be the same without you.

"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." 
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Another Change

Sometimes it feels like I no sooner adjust to one change and another one comes along. The greatest part of which has to do with getting older. 

More wrinkles, less spring in my footsteps, whiter and thinner hair on my head and a thicker crop sprouting in places where it shouldn't, hands that belong to my mother, skin that sags, and today, an eye exam that revealed that my eyesight has changed requiring yet another pair of glasses. 

And what a challenge it is to try on pair after pair of glasses in order to decide which ones to buy.

Number 1, the reason I need glasses is because I can't see, but I have to take off my glasses in order to try new ones on but those don't have my prescription in them so everything looks blurry and I can't really see what they look like.

Number 2, there's a tag hanging from the arm of the glasses that gets in the way and the brand name of the glasses is printed across the lenses that make my already blurred vision worse. 

Number 3, I have to keep taking the new frames off and putting my old glasses back on my face to be able to read the price of those I'm trying on.  

Number 4, I decide to use my phone to take a picture of myself with the new frames to see what the new glasses will look like on me. But, without my glasses I can't see how to operate my phone in order to take the picture.

Number 5, I ask the optical people to come to my rescue and give me their honest opinion on what works and what doesn't work. I trust in their judgment and make the final decision.

On my way home from Edmonton, I contemplate the gift of sight and how fortunate we are when we can see. And how important it is to flow with the changes as they come to me. I hope I feel the same way when I get my glasses next week.

Fire Gazing

Staying overnight at my daughter's place in Edmonton tonight. Made the trip down here this morning to give some friends a ride and will be leaving tomorrow afternoon sometimes to make my way back home.

Karen has a gazebo set up in the back yard. We sat in there tonight with the fire pit going at our feet. It was toasty warm in there. A nice cozy relaxing time after a yummy ham and scalloped potato supper.

Got to see my granddaughter Sadie, who's already in grade 8, and my grandson Cole, who's in grade 10, so it was quite the treat. I enjoyed my visit even if it was short.

Apparently Cole and Sadie get up between 6 and 6:30 to get ready for school so I'd better get some shut eye since I have to be out of here early too. Appointments and things to run around and do before I make the 5 hour trip back home tomorrow. 

And what a switch around in weather we had today. Let's hope that sunshine keeps coming and the white stuff stays away for a long time yet.