You had me at Meow. . . .

In life, the opportunities to love unconditionally are few and far between- in my experience this is a love reserved for your own children and a few others.

I have been lucky enough to have shared a deep, soul reaching love that was completely unconditional and always reciprocated with one of the softest, kindest souls for the past 19 years.

He came into my life when he was just 3 and it was instant love- He had me at Meow. He was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, with long grey fur and green eyes as big as saucers. How could I be so lucky to be getting my very own persian cat? And with a name of Sheldon Cornelius- I was and still am love struck.

Through the years he has been by my side. He has moved 7 times with me, been through 2 marriages, seen 3 children brought home from the hospital, watched me age - and here I am watching his frail body that has grown so old. His once beautiful soft long fur has now forgone grooming because it would be too strenuous on his little heart, his once wide inquisitive eyes are now glassed over and usually closed and I am so very sad because the decision has been made that tomorrow we will say good bye to this precious, precious little man. My heart hurts.

I look forward to the day when I can hold my little Sheldon again- I know when I get to Heaven he will be waiting right there for me  with my Grandma and Whitten.

I hope he knows, in his little heart and soul that he meant more to me and brought more love into my life than I could ever thank him for- I love you buddy, until we hug again. . ..

My amazing Amelia

There are days when something truly amazing  happens and I realize that I am not completely failing at this thing called PARENTING.

I believe my feelings of failure sprout from some evenings at home  when I feel like a broken record "Abigayle, Amelia, Annabella, please stop. . . .don't touch each other. . . no you can't call your sister a penis,  . . . . .blah,blah,blah. . . ."

Annabella can cry non-stop and no matter what I do I can't console her , Amelia can tear through a room leaving a tasmania devil like aftermath and refuse to help clean, Abigayle can rival the greatest debater alive without backing down and so I wonder. . . .am I being the mother I am suppose to be?

Well,this past Sunday we were out to eat and as we were finishing up Amelia, my little hoarder, asked if she could take the kids menu home- A food smudged piece of laminated paper with all the food choices available- corn dog, $1.99, macaroni and cheese, $2.99, chicken nuggets, $3.99. .. . .- I told her she could take it but she would have to stick it in the activity page they gave her so they wouldn't see her take it-

And then it happened, my little Amelia grabbed my arm and pulled me closer and whispered in my ear "Isn't that stealing mommy?"- My heart stopped- I could not believe what had just happened! I was telling my child to steal, and not just steal, but to HIDE it!!! What kind of mother am I???? In my mind I was letting her take something that I perceived as a cheap piece of paper that she could take home and play restaurant with- one of her favorite things to do.

I almost burst into tears, I looked right in her eyes and said "You are so right Amelia, Mommy is very sorry for saying that, Thank you for being so honest. . .let's put it back on the table" and she did with a very big SMILE.

I know that I have taught the girls all ten commandments, we talk about what is right and what is wrong, and consequences. . .I now know that they listen and as a parent I have to make sure I am not saying one thing and telling them to do another. .. . so thank you, my little Ameila Bedelia, I love you to the moon and back!