CHELSEA MARIE

Sadly, my sweet 17 year old baby girl crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on August 1, 2009. She suddenly began slowly failing over a 2 week period and it was difficult to face that the inevitable was nearing. After IV infusion, lab work and, how ironic, a cat scan, the diagnosis was end stage renal failure. Such a sad time it was for our family. Had no idea that her leaving us would hurt so much.

It's not easy to let go of our beloved pets, is it?

I know, with all the horrible injustices in the world, the loss of one little elderly cat cannot compare. But, the longer Chelsea was with us the more "family" she became.

Climbing out of my blue funk, I occasionally catch a glimpse of her from the corner of my eye. The other night I swore I heard her "meow". One of her favorite spots was to curl up at the bottom of the bed in my yarn room. She very much resented when I had knitting on my lap and asserted her squatters rights to that lap! She could be a "mean ol' grinchy cat" sometimes, as Shaun was found of saying about her. But, for 17 years she slept near the top of my head and was the first face I saw in the morning and the last one before I closed my eyes at night. I knew her longer than my husband. Not many folks are lucky to have such a constant in their lives.

Lots of empty spaces now that she is gone.

My 16 year old cat, Kringle, and 12 year old collie, Scotty, are slowly adjusting to her absence.

She is greatly missed, but, when the time is right, we'll fill those empty spaces with another ball of fur.


Nan, thanks so much for the contraband chocolate.

What would I do without family and friends?
And the comfort of knitting.

As that great woman, Elizabeth Zimmerman said:
"Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crises."