Bless Your Little Kitty Heart

Losing a pet is difficult.  Extremely difficult.

They’re part of your family; your children.  They need to be fed, bathed, brought in for regular checkups, etc.  The thought of losing them is heart-rending.

Smokey, our cat, came to us one day as a stray.  She was roaming the backyard when Will arrived home from work.  She was such a friendly cat, not scared or mean at all.  She rubbed up against Will and circled around his feet several times.  Even though I told myself I would never own a cat, the minute I saw her I knew I wanted to keep her.

We wanted to rescue her.  She was malnourished, had patches of missing fur, and cuts scattered around her entire body.  We’ve had her for about 3 years, but we know we gave her the best 3 years of her life.  We gave her lots of love and attention.

We found out today that she has a massive amount of fluid in her stomach, a few small tumors in her chest that will worsen her respiratory system, and was beginning to have liver failure.  It was nothing we did to cause it; it’s old age.  Even if we caught it in time, the outcome would still be the same – doctor said the best thing is to euthanize her.  She’s uncomfortable and she wouldn’t have much time to live.

In just a few hours, Smokey will no longer be with us and as upsetting as it is, we don’t want to see her suffer anymore.  She will be in a better place very soon.

Heaven

Lately I've been thinking a lot about my grandfathers and uncles who have gone to heaven.  I miss them terribly. I know they are in a better place, but it still saddens me that I can never see them in person or give them a kiss on the check or wrap my arms around them.

It's moments like this that make me extremely grateful that I've kept every card and letter written by them.  Cards, letters, and video recordings are precious - they hold value. I treasure all that I have.

You never truly get over losing someone. It just gets a little easier with time.

<3

Dear Santa

Money: the route of all problems.  When it came to special occasions and holidays; Catherine and Brad had to count their pennies carefully.

They ran into some financial troubles in the past year when she was in a head on collision that caused her to be in the hospital for two weeks.  Shortly after the pricey bill arrived, Brad’s mother passed away suddenly, leaving them to pay for all the arrangements.

Christmas was nearly three weeks away and Catherine wanted nothing more than to give their daughter, Ava, what she wished for.  However, Ava wouldn’t show or tell them what was on her list for Santa Claus.  “It’s a secret” she’d tell them.  Catherine told her that in order for Santa to receive her letter in time, they’d have to seal it in an envelope and mail it to the North Pole after school that day.

Ava’s laundry was sitting in a basket in the hallway, and with thirty minutes to spare before needing to pick up her daughter, Catherine decided to put them in the proper place.  Maybe she’d find the letter hiding somewhere in her bedroom.  When nothing turned up in Ava’s dresser drawers or her closet, Catherine decided to check her bookshelf.  Between two Christmas books, there was the treasured letter folded in half.

Dear Santa,

          I really don’t want any gifts this year.  The thing that I want most in the whole wide world is for mommy and daddy to stop fighting.  I don’t know if you can make this happen, but it would make me happy.

          Love, always

          Ava

Catherine’s heart melted.  To know that their arguing was being heard by their seven year old daughter was foolish.  Were her and her husband bad parents for not realizing this was affecting Ava? 

“Honey?”  Her husband’s voice came from the hallway.

Catherine wiped away the tears from her eyes and cheeks before answering, “I’m in Ava’s room!”

Once Brad was visible in the doorway, she spoke, “We need to have a discussion on what our daughter wrote in her letter to Santa.”

He took the letter in his hand and let out a sigh of regret after reading it.  “We’ll make this right.”  Brad embraced her tightly.

Ava’s unhappiness would have continued to gone unnoticed if it wasn’t for the piece of paper with their daughter’s handwriting.  It was an eye opener.  Without it, they would have carried on their oblivious behavior. 

 ~~~~

A child writes a letter to Santa asking him for something other than toys.  What is it? Describe in 500 words or less. *406*

No One Said This Would Be Easy

I'm pretty sure I'm at that point where I want to start this story over from scratch. Completely redo it because I don't seem to be getting very far in editing.  I don't see it getting any better if I continue doing it this way.

I'm trying my hardest to work on adding more details because that's what my story lacks. I think it's why I keep coming up short on the word count.

I think I'm going to sent a goal: one more week to see if I've made a dent...

After that, I may start over completely.

Life as a writer is tough!  No one said this would be easy.

Parting Ways

Dear Writer’s Block,

It’s not you, it’s me.  Screw it, let’s be honest, it’s all you.  I’ve been suffocating for too long and it’s time for me to breathe.  I’ve dealt with you pestering me every minute of every day for years and I finally came to the realization that I don’t deserve the aggravation.  Enough is enough.  Parting ways is for the best; for my work and my sanity.  I’ll finally be able to spread my wings and explore all opportunities that are available to me.

You can’t stop this break-up; it’s happening whether you like it or not!  I never want you to try to revisit me again.  Why?  If it wasn’t clear already – you’ve made me unhappy.  I deserve happiness and I can’t get that with you nagging me daily.  You’re toxic and need to be removed from my life.

I’m sorry that I didn’t do this sooner.  I can imagine the amount of manuscripts I would have written by now!

Sincerely,

Aly

~~~~~~

It’s time for you and Writer’s Block to part ways. Write a letter breaking up with Writer’s Block, starting out with, “Dear Writer’s Block, it’s not you, it’s me … .” (500 words or less).*166

Forgive Me

     Forgive me Father for I have sinned.  It’s been 3 months since my last blog posting. 

     I’m not sure why writing has been so difficult for me.  I think it’s more than procrastination.  I’m terrified of the writer’s block that always accompanies me when I sit myself down, pen in hand, or fingers to the keyboard.  I’m disappointed when I have that determination and urge to write but, I end up staring blankly at the page or screen.

     I find it easier to not attempt writing.  Sadly, my goal of being a published writer will not be reached if I continue down this path.  By not writing, I’m not only letting my audience down but, most importantly, I’m letting myself down. 
     I need to add time into my schedule to write.  I need to drill into my brain that writing and writer’s block go hand in hand but, there’s a way to overcome it.  There’s always a way.

I'll Figure This Out

I guess I don’t have much to say.

I was trying really hard to write something tonight, but nothing wanted to pour out onto the page.

It’s been a little slow in the writing department because of school, but I’ve been done with school for two weeks!  There’s just not enough time in the day to get what I want done.

I’ll figure this out sooner or later!

I think going to a library will help tremendously or even sitting in the park or beach to get my writing done.  Going to the library for school work worked out so well, why wouldn’t it for this?

I need to get back into the habit of posting onto this blog a little more frequently; not only for my readers, but for myself.