Gray. Rainy. Lights on all day long. Impossible to get a good photo.
Since I have two more pieces from my smallish Roseville collection to share with you, I’ve had to resort to pulling older photos from the bowels of this blog. Bear with me.
You’ve seen the cornucopia on the left. But I also have the green dish in Apple Blossom. Both of these pieces live on my dresser, which, I might add, is a heck of lot more cluttered than this older photo would indicate.
(I just deleted the other photo because the code was acting strangely. I’ll take a photo of it another day.)
We’re all caught up!
Today, all of the furniture is being removed from my parents’ condo. Meredith found an organization that works with the homeless that is willing to take everything, so we feel very good about that. Meredith has had to spend some time there in the past few days doing some clean-up and I know that has been hard on her. Too many memories.
Once everything is removed, she’s going to meet with a realtor later in the day to see just what we need to do, if anything, before we put it on the market.
Our biggest worry was what to do with the cats. Luke is gentle and lovely, so we knew we would have no problem finding him a home. But Lydia can be mean, is very territorial and protective of everything in the condo. We promised my dad we would try to keep them together, but for a while there, it seemed like that wasn’t going to happen. Stacy, my dad’s caregiver, volunteered to take them, but she already has 3 cats and a couple of dogs and four children and she was about to move to a different apartment and I was worried that these 2 cats who had only lived in a quiet condo with my parents would not be able to cope with other animals.
Meredith has a friend who has a true gift and can communicate with animals. She has also been involved with cat rescue in the past, so she really knows cats. We asked her to talk to Lydia and tell her that Dad was gone and he wouldn’t be coming back and that we wanted to find a happy home for her but her aggressive behavior was going to keep anyone from adopting her. Once that conversation happened, Lydia started to change. Stacy, who was helping pack up the condo, spent time with her while she was there and assured us that Lydia would be okay. It was clear that Stacy, who had promised my dad she would adopt the cats, wanted to make good on her promise.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when Stacy picked up both cats and took them home with her. And then to a week later, when she sent me pictures of her daughter petting Lydia. She even sent me a video of Lydia clearly loving all the attention. She was a cat transformed. It’s an ongoing process, I know, but the change is evident.
I sat there and cried. Thank heavens for Stacy. My dad is somewhere smiling, I know it.
Happy Friday.
What a wonderful woman Stacy must be. It must be a relief for you and your sister to know both cats will have a happy home!
Love the Apple Blossom pattern on the pottery. Your green dish is so pretty.
I hope the ankle has recovered from the long IKKEA day and that you have a restful weekend.
The ankle is doing much, much better, Sue. I just have to remember to be cautious when I walk.
Your Dad was fortunate to have such a kind and caring caregiver. I think most caregivers have extremely large harts and tons of empathy – enough to allow his fur babies into her home when the time came. How sweet.
She was a great asset to my dad’s life and continues to help him, even after he’s passed away.
Poignant times for you and Meredith, but remember that your parents are not the things they had but the memories you both treasure. I’m so relieved that Luke and Lydia have found a loving stable home with Stacy. Stacy must also feel very good that she honored a promise to your Dad.
Honestly, the things that we’re donating have no sentimental value. We already took everything that we wanted to save. The furniture was just modern stuff with no real history, so we’re fine saying goodbye to it. It just isn’t easy being there in that space which was once a home to my parents.
Oh this post brought tears to my eyes…so glad it worked out for the cats…
Me too, Linda. I’m so, so relieved!
Happy endings are always the best!
They are, indeed!
That is a true blessing! So happy the cats have found a good home.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
We are so relieved. They were a worry for us even before my dad passed away and the fact that it has all worked out is a miracle.
Ditto to what Linda and Barbara W. said… Those were my exact feelings. I also love what Wendy said, ” your parents are not the things they had but the memories you both treasure”. Hope you have a wonderful day, Claudia.
Thank you, Cathy.
You have much to be thankful for. Your Dad’s kitties have a very good home…Meredith is moving things long as far as the condo is concerned, you have all those precious memories, and that pic of Don reminded me, you have a wonderful life partner…and a wonderful fur baby. Deep down…life is good. I only say this, because many times, when I worry about things, over which I have no control, I have to remind myself the same thing. Deep down, I know I am blessed, and life is good! ;)
Wise words, Donnamae.
Claudia, This post is so touching. I am glad Stacey could take both the cats. How wonderful that Meredith’s friend could help out. Wishing you peace today. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Thank you, Susie.
Donnamae said exactly what I would have. I tend to be a worrier and, in reality, I have control over very little. What a wonderful woman Stacy must be. When I “retired” from my job as a bookkeeper a few years ago, I became a caregiver for a wonderful couple who had no family near. I just happened to meet them when I was at Wendy’s for lunch one day and we struck up a conversation. Long story short, I was the person who helped them with everything and was their two daughters lifeline for them. (They both live on the East coast.). It wasn’t something I planned. I didn’t get paid, but they were a blessing to me and I believe I helped them too while they were still on this earth. I believe God put Stacy in your parents life for a reason. Many blessings Claudia.
Betsy
I agree, Betsy. She was very, very fond of my dad – and he could be very irascible! Thank goodness for her. Meredith’s son is allergic to cats, as am I, or we would have taken them.
I like the Apple Blossom dish the best of this group…such a pretty green…I am so glad that your parents estate is getting settled…I am ecstatic that Luke & Lydia are home with Stacy now…I know they will be much happier with someone they already know and love…Bless Stacy’s big heart for wanting to fulfill her promise to your Dad…
We’d much rather they were with her than with strangers.
I am so pleased for Lydia! It sounds as though she is very happy in her new home. You Dad and Mom would be pleased and I am sure that you and Meredith are. That is great isn’t it. Giving the furniture to a charity is a wonderful idea, and will mean a lot to someone who has nothing or very little. It is amazing what difference a few things like that can make to someones life. Happy Christmas! xx
We’re all for helping those in need. It was a challenge finding a charity that would accept things at this time, but Mer finally found one, so we’re very happy.
Another Christmas miracle!! Seriously, so so glad the two kitties are together. And Luke and Lydia!!! Reminded me a bit of the old General Hospital days with Luke & Laura!! But, I feel like she should be addressed as “Ms. Lydia”…. they do know when they are safe and with people who love them. And that, just as with us, makes all the difference in the world.
Yay!!
It really does, Chris.
You certainly deserve this bit of good news about your Dad’s cats, Claudia. Sounds like Lydia just needed someone who could explain things to her. I hope she and Luke are as happy and as loved in their new home as they were with your parents. Although something tells me they’ll always be keeping “a weather eye” out for your Mom and Dad. Who knows too – they may see them from time to time… ?
I think she needed to know that Dad wasn’t coming back and that she no longer had to protect his kingdom.
I sure hope they see them from time to time – my dad adored those cats and he often said they were keeping him going.
What a wonderful conclusion to the kitty situation. That has to be a major relief off you and your sister’s minds.
Your pottery is very pretty. It is wonderful to be surrounded by lovely things.
I hope the 3 of you enjoy many happy hours over the holiday season.
A major relief for sure!
Thank you, Teresa.
Oh my, now I am tearing up. How wonderful and the Cat Whisperer
is very gifted too. Your Dad is smiling as I am sure he had a hand
in the transformation.
I bet he did, Lea!
I want to say thank you to Stacy too. I’m so glad the cats could stay together. I think it will be less traumatic and now Lydia has found the love of a little girl. Happy ending for all. And thanks to the cat whisperer too.
We are very grateful, Barbara!
So glad the cats could stay together and found a happy home, good to know there are angels like Stacy in this world !
Thank you, Caroline!
Cats are amazing creatures!! We had a cat who cozied up to our handicapped daughter because he knew her back hurt. Maybe Lydia felt the fate of your father and it upset her. Now she has other people to love and Not lose, so she is happy and behaving.
They are amazing, as are dogs. Intuitive, I think, with great empathy.
So heart-warming to hear.
Thanks, Deb. We’re very happy with the outcome.