Thursday, June 18, 2009

If I could put time in a bottle. Remembering sweet summer days long ago...

I think we've all done it, sat down to clean a drawer or cupboard or file and then something happens...you see an old photo or memento that gently tugs at your heart. That happened to me the other day that brought such bittersweet memories. I was purging some old files on my laptop and found a picture that I took nearly a decade ago. Time stood still for me, if just for a moment, and yes, I shed a tear or two remembering summer days and sweet times...gone...all too soon.

Camille and Rosemary, along with my son's cat, Zoe' (far right) will all turn 8 years old this summer. Now, that's not all that elderly for a cat, but nonetheless, it is eight years and that is a significant amount of time no matter how you count the days, weeks, months and years. In the photo they are about 6 months old. Where did it go? What happened to the three, little kittens that were rescued oh, so long ago? The little kittens that would run willy-nilly from room to room of my house flinging themselves into the air, landing on a dime only to scurry away to begin again? The little kittens who would arch their backs and hop sideways, tail pointing to the clouds as they assaulted an imaginary foe. The time slipped away so quickly.

A litter of kittens that I fostered, 2004

Those of us who cannot imagine living without being surrounded by animals pay a huge price with broken hearts and many tears when there is no more time left. We do the unimaginable when we have to say a painful good-bye to a little life that we've cherished. We moan and we sob and we rail against the fates and our bodies shudder with the pain of unbearable sorrow.

Scout, 2003, the year he entered my heart

But after a time, we dry our eyes and begin to smile again and begin to plan again - for the new arrival, a new beginning. That little kitten or playful pup or maybe that graying senior in need of a home who caught our eye when we last visited the shelter - and we have a home, we have the room. A home that will open its doors wide to new life and new love and new hope and new smiles. We won't think of a time long into the future where illness will tear us apart, because we have to prepare. We have to turn feathers into monsters for little paws to hunt. Or possibly we need to grab a chubby, little body to run quickly out the door so we can say, "Go potty outside", as we stand in the early morning light hoping the neighbors don't see us wearing our torn pink bathrobe and our old bunny slippers.

We do it all over again without looking back at the pain - the circle of life - and what a life it is for us - the crazy cat people and the wacky dog folks. I can't imagine spending my time any other way - ain't life grand?

Savannah Leigh, 1993 - 2007

I'd like to end this post with the lyrics of an old Jim Croce song, Time in a Bottle. I loved the words in 1972 and I love them even more now. They have a deeper meaning for me now than when I was a kid.

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

26 comments:

Golden Samantha said...

Oh what an incredible post. I remember Jim Croce's song so well, so long ago - there's a leak in my eyes to reread your post - you write so well and lyrically - thank you xo,
Sammie and mom

Thor and Jack said...

Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing with us your memories, your kind words, your puppies, your life.
Love your blog and your comments on my blog.
Thanks for being my friend.

Thor and mom

^..^Corgidogmama said...

That Croce song always spoke to me, just as your touching post did.
Zing! Right to the heart.
Thanks.

Maxmom said...

Hey Mimi
What a wonderful post! You have an amazing talent at putting things in perspective. When the Josh Groban song comes on, I always get a hiccup. It's so hard to move on from special moments, but it's in the memories that we shape our tapestry of life.
Take care and lotsaluv
Caryl &Max

From the Attic said...

Oh Mimi, what a sweet beautiful post. You have put it all down so beautifully. Our precious fur babies do leave such a paw print on our hearts when they cross 'the bridge' and we are blessed to have had them in our lives. I love the photos in your post too.
Thank you for visiting my blog and if you did live next to me, you would be welcome to visit and stitch with me and we could have our beautiful dogs at our feet as we stitch. Just how I like it!!

Chrissie.

ItaJeff said...

This is a wonderful and touching post...I'm crying while reading your words...I understand how you feel...I'm a cat person too. Thank you for sharing such a great posting.

Please feel free to visit my blog, I have few stories about my cats. Hope we can be friend :-) Have a nice day.

Lots of luv,
Ita

Farley's Mom said...

That was beautiful, and I adore the picture of the cats looking out the window together!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a beautiful, thought provoking post. We're so glad our Mom is a crazy dog lady.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

GACK!! BAWLING!

Ruby and Penny said...

Mom is sniffling too. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. We're lucky we have a crazy lady to live with too.
Love Ruby & Penny

T said...

What a very beautiful heartfelt post. You expressed this so well, and my thoughts exactly. Thank you so very much for sharing all your beautiful babies with us, and thank you for being YOU!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Mimi. I am only beginning. I didn't think there was room in my heart and now I find out that I am smitten all over again.

Chris and Mackenzie said...

Your post reminded me of a morning a few months ago when I stumbled upon a small time capsule in our medicine cabinet – a small, well chewed, yellow bowl.

When we went to pick up Mac I asked for one of her toys so she that she would have the scent and memories attached. They handled me this old beaten down yellow bowl. Inside the bowl were Mac's red puppy collar and a small plastic bag containing a few of her puppy teeth. Seeing these items took me back to that first night, the drive home where I stopped to pick up some dog items (the collar being one of them), the sleep we didn’t get cause she whined all night (we were just starring at her anyway). I thought about the day she found her bark and the time we had her spayed (I felt so bad for her!) While the memories were fresh in my mind they were actually over two years old. Time, as they say, flies.

After the trip down memory lane I started to think about the future…the walks we have yet to take, the trips we have yet to make, the toys she has yet to shake, and I was (and am) thankful for whatever time we have left.

Thanks for such a warm post.

Chris

Lorenza said...

Your post is beautiful.
Thanks for sharing!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What a beautiful post. Your kittens are absolutely adorable. Thanks for visiting my place last Saturday. I'm sorry I'm so late in getting around.. If only there was enough time... Hope to see you again...hugs ~lynne~

Pipa said...

"We have to turn feathers into monsters for little paws to hunt"



This was a wonderful post to read. Thank you so much for sharing. You sure can put your feelings into words!


Love

Pipa

Geli said...

Oh my! you're an animal lover, too. What a lovely post.

My two Chocolate Point Siamese fur kids which I adopted from a rescue shelter say 'hello'

A purrrrfect weekend to you all!

Bijou said...

Hi,

Very nice post you made. Mom feels the same in alot of ways. She had a dog named Savannah too. That song as meaning for her, so thanks for the boo-ti-ful words.

Wags & wiggles,
Bijou

The Old Parsonage said...

You post gave me goose bumps. I loved every word and have known the joy and the loss of a tiny fur ball or two.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Please come by again.

Enjoy your day!
Leann

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Beautiful Mimi! Absolutely beautiful. I have had many critters in my lifetime. We have a 5 year old Boston Terrier that I have loved since I first set eyes on him. He is going to be 6 years old July 12th, and he has cancer. I call him "Handsome" and he is my little boy. He knows exactly what I tell him. I will post a day about Bruiser next week. Keep checking. This was a wonderful memory of your pets. Loved the pic of the 3 cats looking out the window. So precious! Thanks for stopping by to welcome me to PS. Sending you "Country Hugs" from Country Wings in Phoenix, Sherry

☮momoKo said...

It's so heartfelt post!
On a forthcoming good days are made with a sad thing and a nice thing.

☮momoKo

juliaD said...

Happy Pink Sat too!....Love your stories about your loved ones...xx

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Mimi!
Thank you. I have so prayed over Bruiser trying to make the passing easier or heel him from this horrible disease. He has a pretty large tumor on his side. The Dr. couldn't give him much of a chance even if they removed it. They wanted so much money I decided to let him be. He is still eating and playing, only a lot less than he used to. He is pretty grumpy some days, so with (7) grandkids, we put him in the bedroom when they come. He has snapped several times now, so that was enough for me. When it is time, I will deal with it then. I so connected with him from the moment I saw him. I had lost my Schnauzer of 19 years, and said I was not going to buy another pet. Then I met Bruiser and he just melted my heart. As the grandkids put it: "Bruiser does not know that he is a d-o-g". He thinks he is my little boy. I so appreciate your prayers and kindness for him. My husband says that the day something happens to Bruiser he is leaving home, as he will not be able to stand it for me. "Country Hugs" from Country Wings in Phoenix, Sherry

The Luke said...

I sittin here wif my the Mom on special occasion what is first anniversary of my Gotcha Day...

And I gotta say, your post fall softly on our hearts. And the Mom is leaky... as for me, I sniffle.

Easy to think time is enemy, but it in deed is not. Time is precious. Time is our friend. And we must nurture it and steep our selves in the moments what comprise it.

And that's why I love your blog. I love your moments!

wif love from the Luke

Linda said...

Beautiful post, I'll keep it short, cos of the tears, but not all sad because your words give us hope and make us look forward to caring for other little ones. Lindaxx

Thoughts said...

What an absolutely BEAUTIFUL post this is...I LOVE it. I teared up just reading it it's so captivating.
We wanted to stop by and thank you for coming to our blog in recent weeks and leaving such supportive comments for our dear Benson. We are so happy and lucky to have bloggie friends like you! We very much appreciate your support and warm prayers!
Thank you so much!!!

Pee ess- We will DEFINITELY be back to visit you soon! Mom LOVES this blog!

Woofs, wags, kisses, hugs, and much love,
Benson and Gibson
(and Jaime)