May 8, 2009

Friday is Tommy's Time!

Since Tommy feeds us, cleans our litter boxes, gives us treats (except when we look at the camera) and doesn't disturb us when she gets into HER bed--I decided to devote this day to Tommy--and probably the last time in a while, can't get her feelin all lioness on the savannah and all! And to be honest, she likes those pictures of us as itty bitty cats, so....

OK, I know it's Mother's Day on Sunday. Mommy has said to let her rest on Sunday. We can curl, but don't expect any baths that day. We're grown and we're on our own, she says. Drat. For Tommy, she says Mother's Day is a sorta bittersweet day. Tommy's not had her Mommy for a long time, since she was a young girlcat. So Tommy wrote something about that and turns out it's been published in local Dallas newspapers ever since 2004. That's before I even showed up, but nonetheless.

Because of Tommy, I'll post that writing here AND pictures of when Tommy was a
kitten. Just to get back-like this one. Tommy was a 9 week old kitten held by her Mommy.

Now Tommy's writing:

Another View

Years ago, avoidance of the greeting card aisle near Mother’s Day rivaled my loveless affair with liver and onions. Even as I rushed past the cards, the words, “To My Dear Mother,” screamed at me. As people did their best to pick the most perfect Mother’s Day card, envy, not blood, flowed through my veins. Did they know how blessed they were?

My mother died from yellow liver atrophy almost three months to the day after surgery. She was forty-three. I was thirteen. She was too young to die and I was too young to be left without a mom. Now it was just my dad and me. Even at thirteen, I wondered how we would survive. I hated that my mom never hesitated to spank, yet I would let her spank me a thousand times over if God would bring her back.

My peaceful world was gone. No more ‘girls only’ nights when my dad worked late. We’d drive as far as time and ice cream took us. Laughs and song filled the air. No more would I watch her put on eyeshadow and wonder if I would ever be as pretty.

Mother’s Day soon became just another Sunday without football.

For twenty years, I permitted my mom’s death to be the root of my stumbles. Life moved on, but I lagged behind. I somehow had to learn from her life so I could finally live my own.
I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of not being able to change the past. I had to embrace my mom’s death and move on. God’s word opened that door with Psalms 121 (NIV): I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? I knew where to start.

Now, I no longer avoid the Mother’s Day card aisle. Like everyone else, I hunt for the perfect one. How can I not celebrate the woman who introduced me to A & W onion rings while she explained changes a young girl experiences are a celebration? I sign my card with love and tuck it away with the others.
Our life together lasted just thirteen years, yet was more valuable than rubies. My mother’s spirit dances within me every second, every minute, every day. I am truly blessed, for I know one day we’ll see each other again. Our laughter and songs will fill the air. Praise God.
©2008
And for your viewing pleasure....


Where's the treats??

Then I found this picture of Tommy with this girl and guy. The back of the picture says Debbie and Donny Osmond...WHO? Tommy wrote it was week after their wedding day--which was May 8, 1978. Since that proves Tommy is really old, I made the picture the black and white, just like all the others. Donny Osmond...? Hmm. Lots of teeth.


Happy Friday to all our friends!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!

Now Tommy is off doing that dance she does EVERY Friday--all is right with the world!

8 comments:

The Monkeys said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mother and writing! Happy Mother's Day to you!

The Creek Cats said...

The words Tommy wrote were beautiful and made our eyes leak. We think it is wonderful that Tommy still picks out a Mother's Day card for her beloved mother. Sounds like she was wonderful and we know she is deeply missed. We are sending comforting vibes and hugs to Tommy!!

The pic of Donny Osmond and Tommy is awesome!

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Tommy's words remind us all to cherish what we have! That is the most wonderful tribute to her Mom! Is it still published in the Dallas paper on Mother;'s day? We will look for it!

Happy Mother's Day, Tommy!

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

Thank you for liking what Tommy did! The paper her Mother's Day piece will be in is called the Dallas Weekly. You can get it for free in some boxes around town. It's been on line, but under going a cosmetic site change. Tommy doesn't even have a copy! :)

Cheyenne -Millie said...

Thank you for sharing this story, I enjoyed reading it! Happy Mother's Day to all!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE these pictures!! And of course, the writing. :)

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

I appreciate Noir giving me a little time on his blog. And I appreciate the kinds words from all of you!

Purrs,

Tommy

Anonymous said...

OH that was just so beautiful!!... mommma says.. she also thinks it is so sweet to still buy those mothers day cards.. my momma was thinking of puttin together a memory book for her beans so every birfday she could write a memory she had of each and generations to come they could know what they were like.. hrrrmm
anyways... we just loves this post very much :))
V-V