I was looking through all my animal photos, and realized in this one (below) Cairo is in it! I had never noticed it before (he's the kitty on the right by the way-the part Siamese one, not the fat, lazy one taking center stage in the photo-Bjorn-who we all adore by the way). I remember getting Cairo when I was 8 or 9, in our house on Rohnerville Road. Mom got to pick him out at the store on the mall-he was just a kitten! I think she had to talk Dad into it, but thank goodness she won. My childhood would be less complete if we didn't have him in the house. He was our "indoor" kitty-he stayed inside all the time. Though a bit ornery, he did like to curl up on my bed and read with me. I think we all enjoyed his company. He finally passed away-now I can't remember what year but I know I was living here. But Mom and Dad didn't tell me for a few months...I think to spare me from knowing yet.
When our basset hound, Isabelle, died of cancer last July, Dad and I started talking about losing animals. I think it was in an email, but he told me that he believed it was one of God's ways of preparing us for losing someone in our life. I was never one to handle losing an animal well-the death of my four pet hamsters a blow to my little soul each time (hence probably why I was finally banned from owning any more). I was always crushed. And I remember clearly the day I got home from work in the summer, and Dad had had to take Chloe (our first Great Pyrenes) to the vet and have her put down (from bone cancer). We all bawled in the dining room.
So Dad's statement (or Mom's if she said it first-he got some of his wisdom from her but coined it as his own!) rings true...It never gets easier each time you lose someone. Grief isn't going to be something that, the next time it occurs, is easier because you've already dealt with it. Each time is a crushing blow to the soul.
What I'm finding is that pictures are comforting. Pictures of Dad cheer me up, at the same time as sting a little. And pictures of the animals we have always make me smile. I do think they are a gift from God.
Trudie with a new toy!!!
Polly playing frisbee
Dad, Trudie and Polly playing frisbee-their favorite activity!!! You can't see Trudie as well, but I'm pretty sure Dad is dragging her along while he goes to get the other frisbee to throw to Polly
My whole thought to this blog entry was that its funny what can trigger a memory. Noticing Cairo in the one picture reminded me of what Dad had said-something I had forgotten for awhile. It kind of makes me want to pull out lots of pictures to look at and see what else I remember and what can make me smile!
2 comments:
What a great post! It seems like this blog is becoming a great way for you to grieve, but that same time remember so many good times with your Dad. I hope its helping a little.
it also wants you to take more pictures of everything, so when those moments are gone you can open a book and relive them in a way. one of my favorite things is that each picture is a story in it's own way.
i know what you mean about the sting, its comforting to see him again, yet hard because he's still not here.
i wish i had more pictures of my dad but i lost soo many when we moved to arizona. i hold onto the ones i have now for dear life.
thank you soo much for sharing all of that, your dad (and your mom) are two very wise people. you are soo lucky to have them in your life and better yet as your parents!
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