Telling the Kids

I wrote the post yesterday while the kids were still at school.  I wrote it out, I cried when I needed to, and then I made some rye bread.  Because life has to go on.  Bread needs to be baked.  And, later, children get out of school.  And then they have to be told.

I was dreading that.

Bill and I had talked about it already, about how I was going to tell them.

And no, I didn’t tell them everything.  Didn’t tell them every detail.

I told them she was very sick, and she died at the veterinarian's office.  They knew she’d not been really well in a while.  They know that pets don’t live forever.

They cried.  Oh, they cried.  And I hugged them.  And I cried, too. 

We talked about Blur, and what a special cat she was, and how we’ll always remember her.

We will put up pictures of her, and we will pick a spot in the yard to plant something in her memory.

And then the kids did their homework, and had some of the bread I made…and we went about the rest of our day.

There will be times when we feel sad thinking about Blur.  And that’s okay.  That’s part of grieving, and healing.

For now, there are still enough food bowls for three cats.

I can’t bring myself to remove one just yet.

But this is enough writing about it, I think.

Food posts will resume in a day or so.

Thanks to all of you who have commented and sent your kind thoughts and sympathy.

I really, really appreciate it. 

Comments

[Ruth Ann Ryan]

So sorry for your loss.
Your broken hearts will heal and leave a space for Blur to live in your hearts forever.
Just a week ago we lost our tuxedo cat, the little burglar could open any door that didn't have a lock on it.
My husband and I have this framed on the wall of the room our pets sleep in. I don't know if the kids would
understand, but to believe in this softens the loss of our best friends.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[Sarah]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my cat, Molly, almost a year ago. I had just deployed at the time and the situation in which she died was not a good one. The pain from losing a pet is unlike any other, but time does help. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

[Free]

They really know how to steal our hearts; and when they have to leave they take a little bit of our hearts with them as if it was their own. And so it was.

[Beth]

Jayne,
I am so sorry about Blur. She was a nice cat. I remember her walking across the back of the couch and bumping me.It was like what are you doing in my space. But we got to be friends.

[just1beth]

I'm sorry....no other words....just hugs and I'm sorry....

[Luis]

I read your entry and the feelings I had when I had to put down my beloved Samson (pekingese) came back to me from eleven years ago. I feel your loss. Time helps ease the pain, but know that the wonderful memories will always remain.

[tiffany]

I am so sorry for your loss.