I'm gettin' there

So, I’m happy to say I’m making it through January.  This is not an easy feat for a woman who has struggled with SAD her whole life and laid her youngest child to rest three years ago.  We'll just ignore the fact that I've been laying in my bed on top of my electric blanket keeping me warm all day, after serving a mere 45 minutes as a Church Greeter in the freezing cold following two weeks of vile, yucky, wicked weather that shut down the entire DC Metropolitan area.

It’s been so cold even our old dog Yankee kept his backyard bathroom trips to microseconds, stored enough energy to play like a puppy and chase Stealth kitty under the furniture.

 

Speaking of kitties?  Britt has entered the world of mommy hood…of sorts.  She has a new kitty named Luke.  

The girl has wanted a cat ever since she moved away leaving stealth kitty here to torment me with his ear piercing whining, and desire to be carried about like a parrot on Stephi’s shoulder…here’s a photo to prove it.

Stephi and Casper aka "Stealth kitty"
 

Brad was opposed to the idea and I was all for it.  I think it’s a Venus/Mars kinda thing.  Most men don’t ‘get’ the need for cats if not in a barn chasin’ mice, and most women crave their furry coats and purring songs.  Lord knows, cats have been of great comfort to my family during our darkest times.  When Josh died and everyone was trying to force me to sleep, the only sleep I could get was while our big old cat Bleu lay on my chest calming me with his deep purr and nose nudge.

So I dug my heels in on this one giving Britt my blessing, Brad went on record as officially opposed, and within a week I received the call.  “Mom, I got a cat, and he’s so cute, he just sits on my lap and sleeps”.  She included the following photo and as a woman who has seen many a barn/street cat, I immediately recognized the oozing eyes.  "Britt, he’s sitting still because he’s sick…ya better take him to the vet." fortunately, he only had a little cold and Britt had to learn how to corral an angry, fully clawed cat and convince him to take his medicine. 

Luke, the wild beast!

Within a week, her sweet baby was a terror pinging off the walls, jumping all over furniture, always under foot refusing to let even the sacred bathroom door separate them.  He thought the bathroom was a throne room and invited himself onto her lap during such occasions.

As she recounted her kitty struggles, I just sat back and gave the occasional “uh huh, uh huh” and would offer occasional guidance.  She took me up on using aluminum foil on the couch cushion he was scratching up, and then she added another piece, and another.  By our next phone visit, she was picking up signals from space since her apt. was now practically all aluminum foil.  This raising babies stuff is really hard!

Later that week while at work, I started to receive several messages and phone calls from friends. “Where is Britt?”  “CALL BRITT NOW!!”.  The news reported a gunman was running loose around her campus. 

I calmly called her, and found her at home nursing new scratches from her heathen cat’s latest medicine time.

Britt, where are you?

At home, why?

The news said there’s a gunman on the loose on campus.

Oh, I guess that’s why I got a text saying, “Gunman on campus, seek shelter!”

Yes, I think that’s why you got the text.

Well darnit, I have a class in an hour, what am I supposed to do now?

(What was going on in my head, but didn't reach my tongue......REALLY?  What am I supposed to do?     It’s moments like this that they invented instructions such as “do not touch hot things” or do not put this big plastic bag over your head.)

Stay in your locked apt!  Turn on the news and don't leave until they say your campus is no longer on lockdown!!!!!

Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm and Britt was back in class within minutes, scratches and all.

Looking back over the past few days and weeks, I realize I’m making it.  I’m getting to the point where I can laugh at the adventures of my living daughters and not feel more helpless and lost over the child I lost.  It’s moments like this week when I don’t have a full meltdown over things that could be happening, but manage to stay calm and find out my baby is safe and sound with a semi-wild furry beast running her life.

It’s the moments I get to watch and listen to both my daughters as they deal with their “babies” and know these little guys are able to calm them and soothe them in ways I can't.

We are getting there!

I can't wait to see how the two little guys and old dog are gonna get along this summer when Britt comes home. 

HUGS!
Sherri 

“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” - James Herriot,