Saying goodbye...

Last week I said goodbye to a friend.  

  

She was 32 years old, married to a wonderful man and mother to 2 beautiful daughters!  She was taken home way too soon. 

I really don't know what to say... and it still doesn't seem real....

 

She battled brain cancer over a 10 yr. period.  With surgeries, chemo, radiation and then remission.  Another brain tumor returned less than 2 yrs. ago and the battle began again.  She was so strong... such a fighter.  She wanted to stay here on earth with her family, but she wasn't afraid to die.  Though her spirit was strong, her body was not and Father called her home.

With death there is sadness and grief.  Grief over the loss of memories and moments unmade.  Sadness for those left behind who will always feel that empty space in their lives....

But.... there can also be joy and gratitude.  Joy that they are no longer suffering.  Gratitude for their influence in your life and Joy that WE WILL see them again.

I am grateful for my friend Roxene.  The woman she was born as and the woman she fought to become. 

I pray for her sweet daughters and her husband who will feel her loss most.

Goodbye Roxene,

Until we meet again.

Regrets of a tender heart...

I know... so cute, right?!?...

Yesterday Ian and I found a kitten out all on its own. We were cutting wood in our parking lot behind our building and saw this kitten whining and whining. It seemed to be all by itself so we went to pick it up to see what we could do. The kitten then ran and took up residence in the undercarriage of a vehicle and we could not coax it out (not even with milk - I am told cats like milk ;). We continued to work out there knowing the kitten was safe in the car for the moment, occasionally trying to get it to come out. Eventually it came time to pack up and leave and my tender heart just couldn't bear to leave this kitten (and I hate animals) out where it could die in numerous ways. So determined and with a prayer in our hearts that if Heavenly Father cared about the survival of this little kitten then He would help us to retrieve it. Ian then spotted the kitten curled up inside the wheel of the car. Ian, the fierce warrior, managed to get his hand back in there to get the kitten... which resulted in claw marks and a vicious bite on his finger (it was bleeding pretty good).

So now with the terrified kitten we took it inside to get it some food and to cuddle and play. It warmed up to Ian very quickly (it doesn't like me but that is just fine with me). So after our evening of playing with this cute adorable kitten (whom we named Mickey Blue Eyes) came night. The first time I heard the kitten was a clear sign of what my night/morning was to encompass.... MAN can this thing whine! It did okay at night as we put her box in another room with a blanket overtop and closed the door. The kitten stopped fairly quickly and did well most of the night.... this morning was another story though... even freed and allowed to roam and wander this kitten just keeps meowing... and it is LOUD. So this morning I am regretting the tender heart I had yesterday for this helpless kitten. The plan was to wait till Ian came home from work... canvas the neighbourhood to see if we can find where it came from and if not, take it to the SPCA. If this insesent meowing continues though it will be traveling to the SPCA a lot quicker than planned.