ML and I thought this would be this purrfect place for all of us to share our "Judi" stories. How did you first "meet" Judi and her cats? What is your favorite "Judi" recollection? Do you have a special message for her? Judi will be reading this blog and we thought that she would enjoy reading your words. Just use your fingers, paws, hoofs, tails and any other phalanges capable of typing! Prose, anecdotes, poetry, tall tales, yarns, favorite quotes and prayers -- any and all are welcome.JUST LEAVE A COMMENT AND WE WILL TURN IT INTO A POST.
THANKS!!!
How beautiful and so very true!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely sentiment!
ReplyDeleteWe first became familiar with Judy when she adopted Shelly. We have a larger soft spot for torties and calicoes, so it was natural that we'd stop in to visit.These days we check out the kitten updates.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Toby, Cupcake and Kate
I really have never met Judi and barely know her but my heart goes out to her and I am sending her healing prayers.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
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ReplyDeleteDear Judi,
ReplyDeleteI feel such a deep sadness at the thought of us all losing you. We may only known each other via the CB ~ but I recognize what a special person you are. I am grieving for the loss of your long term future ~ a future that you should have been part of. I feel angry too that you may not be here for much longer amongst us all.
And yet, I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, but I DO think you will be present. It won't be in the way you had wanted. It won't be in a physical sense, but I do believe you will be present in a spiritual sense. Regardless of people's religious beliefs I don't believe that when we die our soul / life energy just disappears. You have tenacity, will power, determination and above all a love life. So it is my belief that you will be present but in a different way. And I suspect that in the future, if we allow ourselves a quiet moment, and focus very hard ~ we will feel your presence. We will know you are there with us in spirit, and also willing your family and beloved cats to go on, and sharing those glorious moments in life that are their major stepping stones.
I have lost several people I truly loved to cancer ~ and once the grief had subsided enough to allow me to be calm and feel again, to be aware, to listen to my internal tappings ~ I knew they were there for me. I also know what they would answer if I asked them a question - so they can still give me advice. Whether my knowing the answer is because I knew them so well that I would know what they would answer, or whether they are communicating with me in some deeper way is not clear. But I would know the answer just the same ~ that's for sure. I am sure if your family ask you for advice in the future, and then listen to their own tapping, I suspect they too will know what you would advise.
Once we love someone ~ they never disappear from us save in the physical sense. They are part of us, sometimes genetically, sometimes in our heart, or soul. They are there for ever. You never forget someone you love because they are such an important part of your life, they never fade from your memory, or get banished into history - they do find a still quiet part of your mind and your heart to inhabit. A place where you can think of them often, but with less pain and more joy. A place where you can recall the wonderful happy times and enjoy them - and yet not forget the sad, missing them times either - and yet be able to handle it.
We won't lose memories of you either Judi. They are scorched into our minds, our heart and our souls. (It has been over 20 years since I lost one of the people I loved most in the world - and the memories are still fresh. They still make me cry some days - and make me smile or laugh or feel warm on others. I can still recall our shared memories in full eidetic colour. And sometimes, like a precious gift from beyond the grave, a newly recalled memory will emerge from the mists of time, something long forgotten, triggered by an event, or something someone said or did. And I will carry the newly remembered memory around in my heart all day like a precious trophy. And folk will keep asking me why I am smiling - and privately think I’m a little crazy. And maybe I am).
There is no time frame for grief. Each is different. As different as those that we love and lose, as different as each of us are. We cannot rush this process, we cannot make it happen, we cannot stop it happening either.
So time will heal - but that does not mean forgetting, or repressing, or denying, or no longer missing, or no longer feeling pain. It means remembering just as much - but from a place of calm - even if at times a calm despair.
So although the future is not the way you'd thought and hoped it would be, you will not be gone, you will just not be physically present.
Be happy dear Judi. My sincere condolences to you. I'll always remember you and you will have a part of my heart all to yourself.
Love Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom). xx
What a wonderful love letter Jan made here in the comment just above mine. It brought tears to my eyes and it is just how I feel as well.
ReplyDeleteI met Judi through seeing her blogs on the CB, but after a while, she was kind and offered to hat Admiral for the Senior kitties club. Then, she was hatted a little while later. A treasure in a flowered feminine chapeau that stays on Admiral's pafe. Then, she kindly uodated my pitiful page to something to be proud of. And updated it yet again later on. Certainly I was grateful as was the Admiral but mostly I was in awe of her generous spirit and love for us all. And Judi, we DO and have returned that love.
Much love and soft hugs from me, the late Admiral and Katie Isabella. A day doesn't go by that we don't remember and think of you dear friend.
Love,
Carole and Katie
Judy, I don't know you...I just know of you. Especially your smiling face in the picture...with ladybug wings. So sweet. I always thought to myself whenever I saw (or still see) that you look like someone that would be a wonderful friend. I'm sure it is true. I regret that you are going through all of this, but I hope you know that you are not alone and that many people out there are thinking of you and holding you in their prayers. I know I am.
ReplyDeleteTake care and keep smiling!
Cat
(of WeezDaBadCats and DaMeenDawgs - Tiny, Ellwood, Ginger and Angel Lautrec)
we first met Judi when she visited my blog. Judi has hatted me and I display my picture with pride. I have been a visitor to Judi and her family and kitties since the beginning of my blog and am purring up a storm for her and her family. I send many purrs and many prayers her way in the hope they help a little.. Hugs and purrs... GJ and Carol xx
ReplyDeleteHey Mama J...Mom and I can hardly remember NOT knowing you. You were like an angel that landed on our shoulders..ready to help us with buttons and banners and just the best friend. I think maybe you might have been one of our first blogging friends from 2009 forward. You and Mom are both Capricorns...LOL too.
ReplyDeleteThings we remember most about you:
1.You selected the purrfect purple bonnet for Madi. We were so honored to be hatted by you.
2.Last year out of the goodness of your heart you made Madi a "Gotcha Day" button/banner. We will be using it every year on May 11.
3.Your positive attitude in the face of adversity
4.This is to your grandbeans...and we are sure they know it but
oh my goodness the love and pride that just poured out of every post about them. Their proms, graduations, special vacations with friends. They are loved to pieces by their grandma
5. Each time you left a comment on our blog you always ended it with "we love you Mads and Mom"!! And we know you love us as much as we love you.
6. Each of your post about the SASS crew proves you have endless love for all of God's creatures great and small.....
So Mama J Mads and Mom love you, send you hugs, thank you for your friendship and are honored to be your friend.
Mads and Mom
Bugsy and Knuckles are sitting right here beside me as I type this. We just want to keep this short and simple. We love Judi. She is such a friend to us and stopped by our blog so often with an encouraging word. We feel so lucky to have her in our life.
ReplyDeleteLove to you Judi..... Love to you!!!
purrrrs from Max, Bugsy, Knuckles and HH (Lou)
Mario's Mom here: We haven't known each other but only a few months, but I instantly liked you and am so happy have had a chance to get to know you a little before you got so sick. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Mario said he's still purring like crazy (and I can vouch for him there). Love to you Judi.
ReplyDeleteHi Judi! We found your blog and wanted to stop by and send our purrrs xx
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