Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Tears In Heaven

I posted this photo on Facebook a few days ago. But I am reminded again as I sit here at my computer desk of Gracie. She loved to be right here beside me. So I honored her by placing this  picture of her in the windowsill which she so loved to lay in and watch the birds and the squirrels and chasing lizards as they ran across the window.
She so loved the outdoors. When I say outdoors, for us that is a screened in porch. But all the cats loved it so and spent hours coming in and out. The above photo was taken a little over two weeks ago now. Time will move further and further away and the memories will have to suffice during my lifetime. But as I work on the computer I am struck again by the vacuum that is created by my little friend not being here with me. I see her photo and can remember but it's not the same. I know to the world she was a little tabby cat with nothing special to mark her entry or exit into this world but she was special to us. Gracie was so shy and I often featured her on the Feral Friday posts. She took a piece of my heart with her when she flew away and yet I know she would not want me to be sad. That is something I cannot help because I miss her and will always do so. Grief is different for Grace than for Abby, but the two are mingling together. I can't believe it's been 7 days, because it feels like so much more. But, at least I can see the forest and the trees this time. It will just take some time to take the raw rough edges off, and I know now that it will. I just had to say I miss you Gracie Grace, my little cashmere kitty.

****
The Last Battle" - Author Unknown

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this -- the last battle -- I have won!

You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.



34 comments:

  1. Purrs to you. Angel Grace reminds us of our own Angel Gracie--she was a sweet little cat who was always shy her whole life. Mama says I remind her of her a little bit.

    Hello to that handsome Ping-

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  2. So sweet. Princess left a spot like that in our lives last February. She lived a long life, but we miss her deeply.

    With Prancer Mommy still has days that she just doesn't know how she is gonna get through it. Thankfully the weather is nice so she can get out and get some fresh air. That is a huge help!

    Have a happy Tuesday, furriends.
    XOXO

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  3. My heart goes out to you. Sending hugs.

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  4. Gracie WAS and IS a very special kitty! I always knew that whenever she showed up here on the blog. Sometimes the quiet kitty has the sweetest secrets. Purrs to you.

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  5. We love our kitties a lot.
    Some a bit more than others.
    We love them in different ways and miss them in different ways.
    The constant is that we miss them .
    Sending special purrs to you today.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure,JJ
    and Angels Tiger and Tillie

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  6. Of course Gracie was special. Just because a cat has a common coat pattern doesn't mean that they aren't special and deeply loved... and very much missed. We're sending lots of purrs and hugs.

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  7. She was very special to a lot of people, including me. She will always be loved and missed. Sending you big hugs

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  8. c'était un beau chat, et un petit coeur d'amour, affections

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  9. We are sending extra purrs today as you watch out the window as Gracie loved to do. Tabby cats are always very special and seem to know what we are thinking. Take care.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  10. Run free Angel Gracie with Angel Abby. Lots of hugs to your mom and Dad we know they miss you.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  11. That is such a pretty picture of Gracie looking over her shoulder.

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  12. Sending hugs. It is always so hard.

    It is nearly 2 years since I lost my Whitey. It is nearly 10 years since I lost my Sha Na. It is nearly 11 years since I lost my Ching.... The sting is duller, but I still miss them all.

    big hugs honey xoxo

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  13. You have so many beautiful memories of Abby and Gracie. We love the photo you selected of Gracie in that very pretty frame.
    Sending you lots of hugs and love. xoxo

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  14. I juat can't imagine llosing two special ones in six months. Hugs from all of us.

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  15. Thank you for the lovely poem - someone sent it to me once but I could not find it again. It is so true - we can only help them cross over when it is time to go even tho it is so hard for us. Each and every one of our dear cats are so special and do know that she is just right beside you as she always was - you just can't see her.

    Cats of wildcat woods

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  16. Terrific post and we know that Grace is watching down over you and misses you too. Take care.

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  17. =^..^=

    xxxoooxxxoooxxxooo

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I love you too mom

    G ~~~~~

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  18. We really have a soft spot for shy, gentle kitties and you always captured the gentle beauty of Gracie in your posts and pictures. We love the picture you have of her and where you placed it. Many purrs and thoughts of love to you.

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  19. So very touching and beautiful.
    (((purrs)))
    love,
    Glogirly, Katie & Waffles

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  20. What a perfect spot for the framed photo of dear and very special Gracie. Any cat who has graced their presence with ours is special. Merlin sends deep, wise rumble purrs

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  21. oh, my heart hurts for you. I've been away from blogging for a bit, so had to just go back and catch up. I'm so sorry to hear Gracie has passed on, how much grief can the heart hold?

    Blessings to you all - many prayers and purrs from our family.

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  22. My heart continues to hurt for you, both because of the loss of Abby and then Grace. You will remain in my prayers. That was an excellent poem, I had never seen before. XO, janet

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  23. I lost four cats within 2 years, so I know the grief you feel. Gracie and Abby both left permanent paw prints on your heart and your life. They will always be with you, now as warm memories. Try to focus on the joy they brought to you, not the pain of them leaving. Hugs!

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  24. We love that beautiful photo in the lovely frame, and we think of you as you travel this journey yet again....

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  25. That last line of the poem...don't let your heart hold any tears....mine isn't, they are poring down my face right now.
    Thank you for sharing your two beautiful girls with us and for being so honest about your emotions.

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  26. We like that you have Gracie sitting on your desk...just like she always did. Purrs....

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  27. Sometimes it takes a long while to get used to a kitty's absence. When I lost Robbie, I spent months "stepping over" him. When he wasn't in my lap, he was by my feet and I stepped over him for a long time because he wasn't in my lap.

    Worse than my own grief, one of the other cats would call for Robbie to come out to play, and it was heart wrenching to listen to him calling someone who would never come again.

    Sending you purrs and prayers.

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  28. Gracie will always -- ALWAYS -- be special. Hugs, purrs and prayers to you, dear friend.

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  29. Even through decades, the pain of a loved one's loss never completely leaves - but then neither does the love they shared.

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  30. Your girls are smiling down at you every day, so grateful for the love and wonderful lives they shared with you XOXOXO

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  31. she was and will always be special. we are lucky we get to meet her and abby thru this blog.

    emma and buster

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  32. Sending our purrs, {{hugs}} and encouragement. This poem always always makes mom cry but is so beautiful.
    Marty, mom and the gang

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>^,,^<
♥AngelAbby♥Annabelle♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥AngelGrace♥