The Kiss

A soft wind kissed the tree tops

caressed my soul

with the sway of leaves

a light and breathless

kiss

to lift my soul

higher

than the sky

A soft wind kissed the tree tops

lifted my heart

with the lightest

touch

brought me happiness

as it danced

around me

A soft wind kissed the tree tops

and whispered

I love you

I love you

I love you

Forever

......................................................................

In honor of love...past, present and future

Happy Valentine's Day

Love in the Midst of Fear

~*:: Bella, holding on for dear life::*~

Many of us are afraid of love.  We shake and tremble, even though we are in the safest of hands...the hands of those who love us without conditions, parameters and agendas.  We hold on so tight , petrified of being let go yet wanting to run away simultaneously.  Run anyplace to hide, because it is easier than to give our hearts...funny how that works.

I used to be that above statement.  I did not know how to love.  Superficially, I could love with the best of them...others were putty in my hands.  Yet, true love is what I was lacking.  It's true essence.  It's true meaning always had a way of escaping me...especially at the most important of hours.  Yet, over the years I have been shown what real love really is. 

 My husband has shown me in too many ways to count.  His patience, unparallelled.  His sweetness and calming love, the elixir my burdened heart so desperately needed.

 My children have shown me how to love unconditionally, showering me with kisses and hugs just beacuse they can.  They love me no matter what I look like and want to be next to me, snuggling and giggling just because we can.  Pure love at its best.

 My Mother has shown me how to love, in spite of unkindness and fear...for her history has clouded her heart and closed so many of her doors.  Because of her, I have vowed never too make myself numb and to love with all my heart, whatever the consequences.

*****************************************************

Today, CocoBella and Ginny Puff came home with us.  They are scared beyond reason.  Who are these crazy people, anyway?  Yet amidst the fear of the unknown, Bella sat on my lap and let me pet her for almost a half an hour after she tried to hide in the sump pump(which was promptly secured!).  Ginny Puff sat with our Coco had a conversation, after running away three times from my husband...eventually letting him pet her.  She is now out exploring the basement while Bella sits under the futon.

There is no rush, pretty girls...for we love you already.  Your fear will subside and your hearts will open to us.  We just know it!

Happy Valentines Day to Everyone.  May your day be filled with Love, in many forms.

New Additions Coming Soon!

~*:: The band of rescues by Graciel::::Photo, by Evenstar Art::*~

For those of you who have been following the saga of the stray kitties over at Evenstar Art, you know that these little band of cuties have captured the hearts of all that stop by.  They were resuced by the generous loving heart of Graciel and it is with her doing, these little scoundrels have been led into my life.

After the passing of my Sophie kitty, I knew that we would have to find a playmate for our little Coco.  He is a very social boy(ok, he's a lover) and he sincerely is lost without another playmate.   We figured that we would go to our local SPCA and find someone new in short measure.  All the while, the kitties saga was brewing behind the scenes.  The food, the carpet, the rescues...all for this little band of cuties named Coco, Puff and Creamsicle.

I remember telling Graciel that had Sophie not been sick, I would have taken one of them.  But, I didn't want to compromise any of the time that she had left by bringing someone new into the fold.  Within a week of mentioning this, Sophie took a dramatic turn for the worse...almost as if to say that it was ok for her to go in order for the others to survive. So, I made the decision the adopt both of the girl kitties ..without consulting the Mister.  (Although he was ok with it).

So you're thinking, great.  She's getting two new kitties.  Good for her!  But, today after a sweet suggestive email from Graciel asking if we would consider taking Creamsicle too (along with a heart wrenching picture of them in squalor, mind you) we have decided to take the three of them.  To tell you the truth, the more I kept looking at his picture, the more I wanted him to come home with us too.

 Sweet Cheese Whiz...now we will have 4.  I don't know who the crazier of the the cat ladies is, me or Gracie!

As of now, we will be getting the girls on Valentines Day with the possibility of Creamsicle as well.  I will keep all of you posted as things develop.

The meaning of all this madness for me...I have always wanted a big family.  The closeness that others experienced during their childhood years, I never experienced.  Sure, I had friends...in fact I had plenty.  But eventhough I was surrounded by others, I still felt a deep emptiness inside.  Things were never really permanent for us, and there was always someone else's family to spend the holidays with.  I know that they are animals, but they give me a sense of permanancy.  They create a grounding force around me that keeps my home centered.  And soon, I will have 4 in total.

One big happy family.