Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sharing My Heart

I can not begin to express how much your comments and e-mails have meant to me. Thank you all so much. The love we felt for Hope was something I never would have imagined happening. She was just a cat for cryin out loud, but oh how she touched our lives. I well up just thinking of her. We buried her in our garden out back. My son Bud came over and dug up the frozen ground and we buried her in a box the kids made. It will now be called "Hope's Garden".
I have not shared my life lately. You know I am usually an open book. It has been a very rough couple of months here. No need to share details, but I will share that just after Thanksgiving, Bud and Rachel separated and are now going through a divorce. Rachel and the kids live with her parents over an hour away. It has been like a death in the family and I am, of course, concerned for my grandkids. This will be very hard on them, especially TJ who does not like change at all. Bud has them every other weekend until visitation is worked out through the courts. I do not assume any divorce is easy, and this one is no exception.
Enough of that. You can, maybe, see why saving Hope was so important to me. I could not save my grandchildren's family, but maybe I could save a cat. Well, that was not meant to be either. I am not sure why God brought Hope into our lives, or if He even did. I know she helped us more than we helped her. Last night was a sad night here. My little kids cried themselves to sleep. Zach sobbed for over an hour in his bed last night. He did not want to come with me or Sweetheart when we asked him. Charlotte was crying too. This morning her eyes were all red and puffy. Kyle was very quiet and spent the evening in his room. He had been spending a lot of time holding Hope in the evenings. I felt very guilty for putting my kids through this.
What could I do to make it better?Meet Sassy. Sassy is a 10 week old kitten who I got from the shelter this morning.
She is a sweet little thing with a black and pink nose and someone cut off her whiskers and one eyebrow.
This gives her a "misfit" look and I knew she would fit right in here.
The whiskers will grow back as fast as the smiles came back on my kid's faces!
Charlotte said, "Hope would like Sassy, Mom."
I know there is much love here to be poured out on a little black and white cat with no whiskers and a lot of attitude....which is where the name Sassy came from! I think Charlotte is right. Hope would like Sassy!!!


31 comments:

kay said...

I'm so sorry for your pain, but remember that all things are possible with God. I pray that some how God can restore this family. It breaks my heart too that so many families go through divorce.

We need Jesus in our homes greater than ever before in these troubling times.

You are loved!
Kay from the OR Coast

Kathryn said...

Oh Bren, we have just been through this in our family as well, and as you said NO divorce is easy. I will be praying for all of you. I'm so sorry that you are going through this.

Welcome to the family Sassy! She is darling!

Love, Kathryn

Unknown said...

Bren, I'm sorry to hear about your son's marriage. I will be praying for all the members of your family.

Congratulations on Sassy! She looks like the perfect new addition to your family.

Blessings!

Dani said...

I'm so sorry about Hope, Bren! That is always a hard thing to go through.

Sassy is so cute, how fun to have a kitty around. They're so spastic and fun to watch. Our old barn cat was a hoot as a kitten. We had to warn people coming to visit that she would come darting out of the bushes along our walk and attack their ankles as they passed. We usually tried to meet our guests at the driveway and escort them up to the door so we could intercept our crazy kitten. Have fun with her!

Niki said...

Sassy is cute, and I'm glad the smiles were restored!

Continuing to pray for all of you, during this painful time.
Hugs to you
Niki

Angela said...

So sorry Bren, for everything. It is hard to understand the "why's" of life. I think getting the new kitty was a wonderful idea. Will be so good for the kids and perhaps you and your dh too. Nothing like petting a furbaby to make you relax and just take a breath. Will be praying for you all.

Alesha said...

Sassy will help, I think :o) Very wise move on your part, Bren.

God is so merciful to give us focus points, sometimes, I think. When we can't fix what we want to fix, He gives us something we can pour love into. It helps to be needed!

I had been praying...the Lord had led me to pray for Bud and Rachel. (the post that you wrote, then deleted, came to my bloglines. I'm glad that I could pray appropriately for you all!)

Will continue to pray. With God, all things are possible!

Alesha

Donetta said...

big hug
meow

Winona said...

Bren, I'm so sorry about the divorce. I have you all in my prayers. It is always sad when a marriage ends and a family is split, but sometimes it can't be helped.

Sassy is so cute. Yes, I think Hope would approve. I am so glad you got a kitten for your family. Just think, now you can become a cat lady like me. (grin)You know I love you, my friend. Winona

Susan said...

Welcome to Miss Sassy! She is cute, in a rakish sort of way! LOL I know your kids will have a blast with her.

I'm so sorry about Bud & Rachel. I wish they could have worked things out. We'll have to keep praying for them, as I know you have been for quite a while. (((Bren)))

Nancy said...

Oh Bren, I am so sorry about the family situation. We also have one in our family. You would be hard-pressed to find a family that doesn't have at least one divorce.
I will pray for TJ that he can work through this...

Melzie said...

Bren my heart is full of sadness for you, but just remember that Jesus will take the broken and make them whole again. Maybe not the perfect seamless "whole" we knew but still a usable vessel. That's my prayer for TJ and Emerson's families.

I LOVE SASSY :) And I love the idea of "Hope's Garden" sounds like a peaceful place to read the Word and drink coffee.
xoxo mel

Jocelyn said...

Bren, what a very hard time your family is going through. I am so sorry. But thank you for sharing Hope with us, and now Sassy. It was a good decision to bring Sassy into your family.

NeeCee said...

Oh Bren, I am so sorry to hear about your son's marriage. I know this is weighing heavy on your heart. Prayers are being sent on your family's behalf.

Congratulations on your newest fur blessing!

Laura said...

I am so sorry to hear about your son's divorce and Hope's passing.

I think Sassy is just the right medicine for your family right now. She is a real cutie and kittens are so much fun. We have a Sassy too :-). We got her in October and she will be a year old next Monday. She definitely lives up to her name, which she did NOT demonstrate when we picked her out at the shelter!

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Bren please tell Zach, Charlotte, and Kyle that I think Sassy is gorgeous. I love the name that was chosen for her. I know she will be hours of fun for you all. Hugs, Karen

Unknown said...

Maybe that's why Hope was in your life Bren, you said it, She did more for your family than you could do for her. Love the new puss, what does your hubby think of a new kitty in the family?

Deanna said...

We recently lost two kitties--one of which was a most pitiful old stray that my children had been feeding for several months. We frequently mourn those things that never did us harm or caused us pain when the pain in other parts of life is nearly too much to bear. I wish you peace, to go with the hope you still carry in your heart.

Mountain Mama said...

Sassy is a cutie! Congratulations.

I am sorry to hear of the pain in your life. Hang in there sweet friend!

Crispy said...

This was a good move Bren. Sassy will be putting HUGE smiles on the kid's faces for years to come.

Crispy

Libby said...

Oh Bren! You are one of the strongest women that I know! You will get throught this! I will not stop praying for your family!

I think that Sassy is a wonderful addition to your family! We tried to save a kitten once and he didnt make it. I went right out and got Ruby, I know all the stuff about "you cant replace a pet" but my kids needed a pet to love! I have never regretted it!
Libby

Andrea said...

I am SO sad about Hope - there were a lot of us rooting for her. You surely all did your best and made the end of her short life better. Your family is in my thoughts - both my brother and sister are divorced - things turned out well for them in the end xxx

No Longer 25 said...

Aww Bren I'm so sad for you, sometime there's just so much going on. I'm glad Hope got to spend her last few days with such an amazing famly who loved her. I'm sad to hear about the divorce, I'm sure you must feel helpless, I hope everything goes as smoothly as these things can.

I'm so pleased you got another cat at the shelter though, the kids faces say it all. I love the name Sassy too. Have a good weekend, I hope that little creature bring plenty of sunshine to you are your family.
Jade

Love Bears All Things said...

I think Sassy is a very good idea. The children have shown how much love they have to give a pet.I hesitate to use that word because I don't think it adequately describes what a furry family member can mean to us.

So sorry to hear about the divorce. I know that must be hard for all of you. I know how close you and Rachel are. I hope you will see her and the children often.
Mama Bear

julieQ said...

I am so sorry, dear Bren. Loss is hard, and I hope that little Sassy helps fill that. I know that you like I would take that pain from our sons if we could...my prayers are with your and yours.

Unknown said...

Sassy will keep your children happy and busy so that will keep their mind from loosing Hope.

Meggie said...

Animals can bring so much solace.
I will be keeping you in my heart and thoughts Bren. HugsXX

Kimberly said...

(((Bren))) I am so sorry for your family situation. We went thru this with my brother and it is heartbreaking. We treasure the times we can see the kids! Praying for Bud and Rachel and your grandchildren. Your little kitty is adorable. I am not a cat person either but I can see how a kitten could steal your heart :)Glad you all have something to love on right now.

Julie said...

Bren! My heart is breaking for you. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with your family. Divorce is always a hard thing to have to deal with. We watched some of our very best friends at church go through it this past year.
I will hold those children close in my prayers. And of course the loss that you feel.
I love you, girl!

Rose Marie said...

I'm very sorry to hear about the sad turn of events regarding your family and the pain you are feeling ...

Sassy is such a darling and I was not a cat person either until we inherited our two girls and so happy that we have them in our lives.

Robin said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Hope's loss and the divorce. How sad. :(