Why do I put up with this?
April 3, 2011
Because of this…..
A little more than a month later...
Happy Spring Time, Everyone!
Latest Entries »
I firmly believe that every one of us has at least One Guardian Angel. And, if the truth were known, we probably have ‘groups’ of them hanging around us constantly. How else can you explain all the unexpected protection, or guidance, or love that we feel “from Somewhere’?
One of the many things I studied over the years was just What angels were, and where they were, and what classifications there were, and what they looked like. I found many surprising things, including that Some angels Do, Indeed, Have Wings! There are many different ‘levels’ of angels, depending upon their ‘job’. One of my very Favorite levels is what this Post is about…the “Lower-Phylum Guardian Angel”. This is dedicated to some of these Guardians that have been a part of my Cousin Mary’s life. Thank God she had the presence of mind to get pictures of them to share! The ‘stories’ are by Mary.
************************************************************
“This is Cha Cha: b.1976, d.1990. She was our hellion. She came from a wild litter and she never really lost that wildness. We gave her that name cause that cat food commercial was so popular at the time… Cha cha cha!! “
Chillin' for the camera
“Jasper: b.1993 d.1995. We only had him for about 18 months. He died from surgery complications. The little stinker would eat anything, and I don’t mean just food. During his operation the doctor found 32 cents in his stomach. He was loved even if for that short time.”
"Can I have those pennies on the table? Or a shoe lace? Or Something?"
“Sambo: b. 1974 d,1988. Our 20lb plus cat!. We had him before we got Cha Cha. They bonded right off and when Cha Cha got hurt, Sambo (“Sam”) nursed her back to health. Cha Cha and Sam we got while living in Hawaii and brought them both back with us to Okla.”
"I used to be a Panther....before I shrank."
“Skipper: b,1975, d. 1993. He was our first ever Peke! He was given to us when he was already at least 10 yrs old. He had been abused but settled into our home and hearts. And how he was loved! He would sleep on top of John’s pillow at nite. He was definitely John’s dog.”
"I Love John! I Love John! I Love John's pillow!"
“Taz (‘White Tazmanian Devil’) b. 1994, d. 2010. He was our charmer. The name really didn’t fit him at all but that is how we had him registered. One spoiled dog I can guarantee that. He never really knew he was a dog. “
"I am Beyond Cute, and I Love You So Much!"
“Trixie ( ‘Trixie Southern Belle’). b.1995 d.2010. She was definitely my dog!. Girl-to-girl is what it was. She would pick on Taz continuously…and Taz just ignored her big time! “
"Pardon me, Sugar...did you want to capture of photo of little, ole me?"
Finally we have Angel. This sweetheart belonged to my Mom until she passed, then went to live with Mary whom she adored and who loved her back just as fiercely!
"This is my 'Forever Home'."
“Each one of these special pets gave John and I love and compassion, and total devotion. God gives us His animals to take care of and love…and we wouldn’t have missed any of it!”
******************************************************************************
I am willing to bet you have had a few “Lower Phylum Angels” in your life, too….and you just didn’t suspect it!
"I'll bet I can get in there..."
You are SO not going to try that, are you? Seriously?
"Uh, Hey? A little help here?"
“So…..so…..sleepy…..
....Can't keep my eyes open ...(photo by Mary/Mom)
….let me know as soon as we are done with snow, ok?”
I am Sooooooo bored.
Spring will be here in about 8 weeks. Or so. How the heck do I make it till then? I started watching my feline family members, and then I knew…..
Drop everything.....
Hibernate!!!
(Beats watching TV all winter…I guess.)
Well, would you look at us! We made it through another blizzard. Snow is knee-deep at it’s shallowest, and shoulder-deep when you least expect it. And it is everywhere, covering everything from out West to back East. It is bone-biting cold, yet beautiful at the same time. But the hardest part for me after the unending howling and blowing of the storm is the Quiet. It is one of the loudest ‘quiets’ you will ever hear. And in the midst of all this whiteness nothing seems to move. There is no traffic, or people, or noises of any kind. Just cold, and silence.
Lonely, and So Cold
Then, after a few days inside to recover and hide from the chill, all of a sudden a little sunshine…and a much appreciated visit from our ‘friends’ who have weathered this storm with us. They were hiding all this time! And, they are back just when we need them!
Red on White....Perfect
Movement, and happiness….just what was called for! We can do this! Together, we Can Do This!
I am Here for you
Was there ever any doubt?
(Thank you, my Dear Cousin Mary, for the pictures….they have captured the essence of our ordeal, and of our survival.)
The cars and parking lot are quickly disappearing.
It is 4 am, and I am up watching a blizzard take over our area. I hate tornadoes. I am scared of ‘meeting’ a hurricane. I can take only so much rain. BUT, I Love blizzards! That is one of the reasons I moved back to Michigan. The wind is fierce. The snow is blowing and coming down sideways, and sticking to screens and cars and sides of houses. And I am enjoying every bit of this.
omg…we just had a thundersnow strike! For those of you who are wondering what the heck I am talking about, it is when thunder is a part of the snow storm. This does not happen often, but it does happen. And, when it does, it usually surprises everyone. Thunder is expected with the rain in the summer…but during a snow storm? Yes, indeed, during a blizzard.
I just went outside to get a picture of the gloomy, snowy, cold night…and my camera instantly shut down! Took me about 10 minutes to warm it up. Guess my pictures will have to be of the aftermath.
So, for now I shall snuggle up in a blanket, with a cup of hot cocoa, and watch us become buried. From what I have heard we have about 20 hours of this to endure. At least a foot of snow is predicted. I know a lot of other states have had it Much worse than that…and I sympathize with the folks who have had to live through it. But I can’t help myself…..I Love Blizzards!
Tomorrow: Pictures (if my camera is willing).
On April 12, 2010 I did a blog entry about the pair of doves I got to ‘know’ from the previous years. Then this Spring I wrote about seeing the single dove left from the pair. I hear the cooing. I don’t hear an ‘answer.’ I don’t see the mate. There is no nest being built in the carport.
Today, the dove is back. Alone. Calling for it’s mate. And looking a bit ragged. I got my camera…..
Trying to find a place to hide..
One last look around....no mate.
I wonder how many years this dove will make the trip here alone….
So the “Robin Family” was created, the babies raised, then pushed from their home, and now successfully on their own. I really enjoyed being a part of this…on so many levels. While this Saga developed, pictures and updates from my Cousin Mary came often, and I couldn’t wait to write all about it and share the wonderful photography with the world.
When the “kids” were all gone, Mary sent me one last picture… of the Empty Nest. Oh, the melancholy began to set in! The “Empty Nest”….something I was facing in my own life after 40 years. I ‘swore’ I was going to get a print of this photo and frame it and hang it where I would look at it often!
The VERY empty nest...
How fitting…and poignant.
My grandson has been living with me since he was 8 years old. He is 21 years now, in school (college) full time, and in love. He is also slowly moving out of my home. “Oh, woe is me! All alone….after dedicating my life to kids for 40 years. Whatever shall I do?”
Well, I am home by myself most of the time, now…..and, I LIKE IT! And I like that he has grown into a strong young man with values I admire, and a simply wonderful girlfriend. Their visits are often, and the conversations are fun. My own “Empty Nest” is growing to be a comfortable place to be. Maybe I don’t need to make a shrine out of the Empty Nest picture!
As a matter of fact, I have spent some time actually examining that photo…there is more there than I first noticed. It is becoming even more appropriate as a symbol of my own life than I first thought it was. Take a closer look. It is empty of ‘kids’, but is it truly empty?
As my kids grew up and left home to start their own lives, I: Cleaned carpets of stains (candle wax, crayons, ink, spilled soda, mystery filth (Ew!)). I patched the holes in the walls, screens, furniture, whatever ( however it got there???). I peeled the tape off the walls from where the posters used to hang (which I discovered were hung to cover the holes made from the darts being thrown and missing the target…among other causes). I moved, then moved again to smaller and smaller homes. And as my living space got more limited, I packed into boxes of all sizes whatever they left behind, marked them with the various names as best I could without kids here to fight over who originally owned what, and put them into whatever storage I had to use. Phew!
Now, look at the “Empty Nest” photo again….there are ‘remnants’ of ‘stuff’ left in the bottom (Ew!), the surrounding leaves (Walls?) are discolored (from posters, maybe), the edges of the nest are showing wear and tear (from darts and fights?), and it is a bit dirty in general. The parents are going to have to work hard to undo what has been done to their home. And, while they are busy ‘removing the stuff on the bottom’, I will be in my own space re-sorting and re-packing boxes. Mom and Dad Robin are readying their home for a new brood. I am preparing to ship “4 Lives to their Rightful Owners.” Both intense, and loving, and spirit-worthy jobs.
I have my own little pieces of several childhoods….they can each have them after I have passed. Meantime, they are my own precious memories, and they are over there - in my newly cleared out closet by the “Empty Nest” photo…with the Smilie Face sticker in the corner of the frame!.
Even though it has been only a few short weeks, I have grown to love the Robin clan. The parents seem to be very “Pro-Family”….a Character Trait that a lot of us two-legged critters appear to be lacking lately. We could use more of that Now than ever before. Even though Robin Hood is brave, and teetering on the edge of a glorious new life, I get the feeling his siblings will be close on his trail-blazing butt!
Mary: A couple hours ago took a look and only saw 3 babies. They are all grown up and leaving home this week. What a sad grandma! Will keep you up on the count as this week progresses.
************************************************
Mary: Well they all did what big brother did… about 8 this morning there were still 3 babies in nest. An hour later all gone 11:06 AM
Me: Can’t you just ‘hear’ the typical “Mother Response” to that: “So, just because your big brother does it that makes it all right for you to do it too???!!”
Me: And, they kind of scoot right out of photo-taking range very quickly, don’t they?
Mary: They have all flown the coop! Did get a pic on one chick hopping around the yard. Will send it later.
****************************************************************************
Mary: This is Peep-a-Boo, the last to leave home. he/she just sat there and posed for me. 11:09 AM
So Tiny, and So Ready to Take on Life photo by Mary
Me: Wow! Blends in well with her surroundings, huh? It looks like she is looking up at you!
Me: Omg…I am SO smiling! She just sat there and said “Good bye”, didn’t she? No fear, just “Laters, Gramma.”
Mary: …or: “I am a big girl now.” I saw Robin Momma nearby, but she was not worried in the least about me taking pictures. Like: “I know you wanted a photo or two, so you Go, Girl.” 11:17 AM
Almost ready to leave... photo by Mary
Me: I see Peep a Boo…on the handle of the hose reel! Beautiful!
Mary: And then there is the ever-patient Angel…getting one last look at What She Can Never Have!
"If I could only get outside for a second..."
Me: lol….can almost feel her tension!
Mary: This has been so much fun! 11:18 AM
Mary: I have the ivy already trimmed some what and will see if parents come to raise any more. For now, I have This to look at:
SO empty....and sad... Photo by John
Me: Oh, oh….getting a little teary eyed… 11:18 AM.
Mary: I am sorry hon! I have had a few more years with that than you have, but it is still teary for me when my kids visit and leave again. That never goes away. We just adjust. 11:23 AM
Mary: AND, as I have gotten older I want them back again… or at least closer to us. Full circle! 11:24 AM
Me: I’ve just decided to get an actual Print of that nest and frame it and hang it where I can see it at all times, as a reminder that All Life is basically running on the same path!
Mary: God is Good.. all things come back around hon. 11:25 AM
Mary: I’ve seen families re-united after years and years of separation. 11:26 AM
Me: omg…We are writing my last post about what the Robin Family Saga was preparing me for….
btw…you and John have just played a major role in one of my more difficult learning experiences. ..Letting Go…THANK YOU!
Mary: Very good! Omg… again our “Father” has provided… 11:27 AM
Mary: Maybe you need a little Happiness….
A little bit of Heaven... photo by Mary
Me: Ah, that worked. Thank you!
Me: Mary, I feel as if I am leaving something huge behind …but it is ok… 11:32 AM
Mary: Each and every day another miracle or Blessing is going on in our lives 11:32 AM
Me: Well, that was not only a very pleasant Miracle, but a fun one! Mary, and John, thank you for making me a part of all this! xoxox
