Letters For You

Dear Beamer

Posted on January 16, 2013 Written by Tonya

Fadra of all.things.fadra, Social Dialect and Charitable Influence is my guest today. Yes, she writes all three blogs! Can you imagine?

Today she has written a thoughtful letter to Beamer, the newest furry member of her family.

Dear Beamer,

What a silly name, right?

I didn’t give it to you but apparently that’s been your name since 2008, when you were first adopted.

Yes, I’m sorry to break the news to you but you ARE adopted. In fact, this is your second adoption.

I don’t want you to feel like anything is wrong with you. Trust me, it’s usually something wrong with people. In your case, you were adopted by someone that didn’t quite understand what unconditional love meant.

I’m sure she took adequate care of you. She even took the time to thoroughly fill out the intake survey when she dropped you off at the place where she originally adopted you. She said you were very affectionate and bossy and demanding. She said you liked to cuddle and be held. And she said you sometimes had accidents when she didn’t pay attention to you or you were “mad” at her.

But the real reason she gave you up is that her daughter is moving to Texas. She said she is also thinking about retiring, selling her home, and moving to Texas.

Apparently, there are no cats allowed in Texas.

That’s cool, though. We just moved to Maryland and plan to stay here a while. It’s actually a pretty liberal state and I’m pretty sure the legislation is pretty tight when it comes to keeping your cats.

Yep, when we adopt, it’s for keeps. Let me give you a little history…

Emma is our 9 year old toy poodle. She’s been in our family of misfits for almost four years now. I wasn’t looking for a dog the day I walked into the pet store. But there was an adoption fair and one thing led to another. Before I knew it, I had scooped up that half-blind, toothless puppy mill reject and called her my own. She’s a work in progress but she’s come a long way.

Roscoe is our 1 year old shih tzu. At least that’s what we think he is. If there was a breed of dog called “pure joy,” I’m sure that’s what he would be considered. Yes, he’s a puppy and he’s still got a lot of learning to do. We picked him up from a rescue group who had found him in a city shelter. Apparently, the dogcatcher got him and brought him in. You don’t have to feel sorry for anyone though. His owner actually came to pay her $30 fee and claim him but when the clerk asked for her ID, she refused. And then promptly left saying she would just go get another dog.

Her loss. Totally.

Now, I have some news for you and I wanted to break it to you gently but I thought I should just put it out there.

We have another cat.

That’s right. You won’t be an only cat.

Josie is a 9 year old “domestic shorthair.” I think that’s what you’re all called anyway. She’s a little shy and a little skittish and she has trouble adapting to change. In fact, for the entire first year we had her, she barely came out from under the bed.

But you need to cut her some slack. She’s probably lonely and doesn’t even know it.

You see, my kitty Arnie passed away almost two years ago. He was my single-girl companion. He kept me company when I was lonely and cried myself to sleep. He entertained me when I would sit and watch TV. And he made sure I never had to go to the bathroom alone again.

He was my buddy and when he died at the age of 20, I felt a hole in my heart.

I had experienced grief and sadness but the loss of Arnie stayed with me. While the pain of him being gone lessened, I could physically feel an ache in my chest where I knew a part of my heart had gone missing. And it was a part that could never be mended.

Then recently, something in the universe told me it was time to look at some cats. We looked online. We read your bio. We studied your picture. And on a whim, we visited you this weekend.

Everyone in the family thought you would be perfect, except me. I was anxious. Would you fit in or would you upset the balance in our house?

Mommy, don’t you just love Beamer? my son asked me.

No, I told him. Not yet.

For me, love isn’t instant. And when I picked you up today, I still felt that certain sense of apprehension. You meowed the whole way home and I had the knot of dread in my stomach that I get every time I make a major decision involving change. The knot that says: Are you sure this is a good idea?

But you’re here now and I’ve gotten to spend time with you. You are soft and sweet. You love to rub my head. You let me rub your belly. And from behind, if only for an instant, I see a glimpse of my Arnie again.

You aren’t Arnie. You are Beamer. And I just wanted to write you this letter to let you know that you are finally home.

With love from your adopted mom,

Fadra

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My Big Girl

Posted on January 8, 2013 Written by Tonya

Cam of Growing Up Goofy is a lover of all things Disney and just about as sweet as can be. She is my guest today with a letter to her eldest daughter, Emma about being a big sister and growing up way too fast.

Dear Emma,

You’ve been a big sister now for nine months. We’ve had good days, and bad. Like you, I’m struggling with how to split my time between you and your sister. I’m desperately trying to find the balance. For the most part, we’ve done well. However, it’s the days I find you in your room, sitting quietly on your bed, and a tear running down your face, that I question my abilities to mother two children at the same time.

I know this year hasn’t been easy for you. For the first three months, I was bed-ridden while we waited for your sister to arrive. You were shuffled off to play dates, extra school days, and heard a lot of NO’s. It broke my heart that I couldn’t spend more time with you. I had so many plans for just us. Mommy and Emma time that didn’t happen. It was hard enough for me to understand. But you’re only four years old; I can only imagine the confusion you felt.

Here we are, 275 days into our family of four, and the one person who has been consistent is you. I’ve learned so much from you. Even at such a young age, you have an old soul. You are patient and kind to your sister. You hold her hand when she cries. You cover her up when her blanket falls to the side. You shield her from the sun that is shining in her face. It makes my heart swell to hear you say “I love you Addie,” and you do it often. Today, I caught you whispering it to her in her ear. You make her laugh like no one else can. I relish these moments.

We’ve had fewer tears recently. You are thriving at school and can’t wait to be five and go to big kid school. I am happy for you, but my heart hurts knowing that you are growing up way too fast. I love the moments where you’ll let me hold you tight, because I know they will come to an end.

Thank you for being my big girl and showing me what it’s like to be selfless. Addie is lucky to have you as a big sister, we are blessed beyond words to have you as our daughter.

Love,
Mamma

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Don’t Let The Door Hit Ya!

Posted on December 18, 2012 Written by Tonya

Kelly is a mom that has got it all… blog, food and game and shares food photos beautiful enough to make your stomach growl on Eat Picks. I am so happy to have her here today!

2012 brought us all a lot of highs and lows, but Kelly is more than ready to wish it a very fond farewell, keep reading to learn why…

Dear Year 2012,

When you first arrived, I was hopeful the 365 days you were prepared to share would be filled with goals met, happiness and days filled with complete joy. Yet, as I sit here and look back upon that first day, I am sad to realize you fell a bit short on the promises I expected and I am ready – really ready – to bid you a farewell.

This year you tested my heart in ways I never thought possible.

Why didn’t you tell me that living separately from my husband for six months would be so hard, even if it was for a better opportunity? It left me incredibly lonely and exhausted, many a night curled up in bed by 8pm crying myself to sleep. You made me wait three long months into this New Year, which felt like an eternity, for him to arrive back home. It is something neither one of us will ever do again. This we emphatically pledged to one another.

You then gave a glimmer of the hope and happiness. A much needed family vacation, a half marathon run with my husband and lazy summer days spent relaxing. But you did not mean for this last.

The thought of almost losing one of my children is a place I never want to be again. You threw me into such a state, leaving me afraid to breathe for what seemed to be forever. You created a new family dynamic I’m not quite sure is supposed to exist. We have adapted, but you have planted a seed of fear that will forever be rooted. And I just want you to know, it totally sucks and I hate it.

And the last two months have been especially hard. You took a beloved Uncle, who will be deeply missed. Two weeks later, on Thanksgiving Day, a family friend of 40 years was called to join him. A little more than a week later, you dealt a blow that hit not only our family, but our entire community by taking the lives of two fellow students and friends of our children in a horrific car accident. Two kids that have been entwined in our lives since grade school through religion classes, sleepovers, pick up football in the yard, video game battles and homeroom check-ins. Consuming sadness that is crushing.

Now, just two weeks left of your tenure, you have brought unconscionable sorrow to a small town in CT. Again, touching those known and in need of comfort.

I will confess I am a person who has been blessed with optimism. I will always see the best in everything while still acknowledging the bad…but this year? This has been a true test. And I must say, 2012, you have not been my favorite year. Where you have shown a few moments of hope, happiness and joy, I am afraid I will remember you differently. I am ready to welcome 2013, and will tell you whole heartily, it’s time for you to go- and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Down, but not out,

Kelly

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This is my 900th post!

Dear JDaniel: A Very Special Letter

Posted on December 12, 2012 Written by Tonya

Big supporter of Letters For Lucas and all around lovely person, Deirdre of JDaniel4’s Mom is my guest today with a letter to her very curious, very insightful and very astute son. Ah, to have all the answers….

Dear Son,

Your mind is always reeling with ideas, thoughts and questions. You keep me thinking. Just last week when I sat in your room building a Megablocks’ tower with you and the questions started flowing. One after another they slipped from your mouth seeking answers.

The first stream of questions were about being perfect. Am I perfect? Are you perfect? The truth is that neither you or I is perfect. You have been with me day in and day out for almost five years and you know that I have made mistakes and have stumbled over the best way to do things. I am very far from perfect. I can honestly say that you are not perfect either. You can be as impulsive as I am when it comes to making decisions. If only we would both slow down and think through our choices rather than rush into them, we might be a little closer to being perfect.

Then you turned the questions to ones focused on wanting to know if I was better than you or you were better than me. The truth is I can’t be better at being you than you will be. You have been given very special talents, gifts, and interests. There is no way that I can be a better you than you will be. When you get as old as I am I hope you will see that I tried to be the best me that I can be and that you have been working on being the best you. I think that what is important is not that we are better than someone else, but that we are the best people we can be.

Your thoughts than streamed from who we are to who God is. We have taught you to believe that God is everywhere and that He made all things. You wanted to know if He will be here when the world ends and will He just create a new world when we are gone. It is amazing to hear the deep thoughts that you think about. Many times I don’t have all answers to the questions you think up. I know I didn’t in this case. All I could tell you was that we probably won’t be alive to know about the end of the world. We know He was here before the world began and that He will be if it is gone. Then I tried to steer you towards talking about our taking care of the Earth, but you didn’t want to go there.

Where did your thoughts roam to next? You next wanted to talk about divorce. You talked to me about an episode of Arthur where his friend Buster’s mom was sad about being divorced at Christmas time. You wanted to know if I would ever leave your dad. I told you the truth. I plan to be with him forever. Then you wanted to know what I would do if your dad decided to leave me. Sometimes one parent just leaves you told me. I told you your dad and I made a promise before over 100 people to work on our marriage even when it gets hard when we got married. I checked with Dad about your question later that night after you had gone to bed. He is with me on working any problems that come up and living up to the promise we made.

Thankfully after our talk about divorce it was time to put on pajamas and get ready for bed. You had already given me so many things to think about.

Your questions my son have always made my mind reel and have caused the place in my heart the love for you lives grow a little more. I am so blessed that you share the questions on your heart and mind with me! As you get older I hope you will continue too. They challenge me to think! They also cause me to I grow to be a better me. I love your for that and so much more!

Love,
Your Mom

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I Know You’re Proud

Posted on December 4, 2012 Written by Tonya

I never knew my grandparents very well. Either set. My last remaining grandparent died when I was in college and I had the great misfortune of having to tell my mother that her mother had passed. It was an awful task.

Are your grandparents still alive?

Busy mom of three boys, (can you even imagine?) avid workout queen and big supporter of Letters For Lucas, Tayarra of 5 Sharp Lives is my guest today with a very touching letter to her grandparents. I am envious of her memories of them.

I’m honored to be featured here. There is a small group of women that I have followed since I began blogging. Tonya is one of those women. I was caught up in her story especially around her parents. I know the love she talks about with my own parents. She has taught me never to take that for granted. Thank you, Tonya for your inspiration and allowing me here.

Grandma and Grandpa,

Awe, it hurts just writing the greeting. I miss you. And, now I’m crying.

It’s been forever it seems. There are times when I see the back of an older women’s neck that has silver hair and an admiring haircut, I think of you, Grandma. I yearn for her to turn around and match your features. It’s all I can do to not hug her or reach for her hand. It’s been over a decade since you left this earth, but I still feel such a connection with you and Grandpa.

Tionna and I were just talking about you the other day. I needed a dress for the work holiday party and she was my go to. I was trying on her shoes when I told her they reminded me of grandma. You always had the coolest shoes and I always loved the way you would dress. I remember sitting on your bed in your bedroom admiring you as you put away your laundry, “Someday I’m going to be like you.” That happens a lot; thinking and talking about you both. Sometimes I even suck the BBQ sauce off my fingertips after eating some BBQ just to smile as each sound reminds me of Grandpa. And, sometimes I will eat a Butterfinger and drink a Dr. Pepper just to take me back to those days when we would walk down to the dock surrounded by the smell of fish in the cold river where we’d turn and admire the houses at the top of that huge rock bluff. I long to perfect the holiday goodies you slaved over. No one can do it like you.

I do have a confession to make; you know when I said I wanted to be a Veterinarian? Well, that didn’t happen. I know you always said that I did whatever I said I was going to do, but that time it wasn’t true. The thought of me sticking my hand up multiple animals’ rear ends was not appealing to me and it turns out that Veterinarians take care of much more than sweet little puppies and kittens. I do still like country music, by the way.

I’m sure both of you would still be proud though. I’m sure you know that Dale and I have three boys because I’m quite certain you had a part in picking them out for us. Sweet, ornery, strong, and destructive… you would love them to pieces. They would have loved cuddling up with Grandpa as much as I did. I can almost see Waylon sitting on his lap when I picture how they would be together. And, picturing them all out on your deck swinging… I think I felt most loved in your arms in that swing.

A lot has changed. Your place is falling apart. It breaks our hearts knowing the place where we spent so much time and shared so many unforgettable moments is decaying. I’m sure none of this is actually news to you.

I guess what I really want to say is thank you. You taught us so much about life. About not giving up and following our hearts. You showed us that good things can come out of bad situations. You treated your friends like family. You taught us deep love. You showed me just how much punch can live in such a little frame. You taught me to laugh with a little bit of smart ass mixed in.

I live my life to be a strong woman. One that uses her past as a stepping stone, not an excuse. I still wish I had more of the confidence you carried, but I’m working on it. I live to be inspiring to my boys by working hard and living my best life and to others that cross my path because I never really know who’s paying attention. Both of you have and will have such a huge part in that. I know you’re smiling. I know you’re proud. Until I see you again, hold tight to that baby of mine. There are people up there, waiting on me. The run to them will be my final and most honored race.

Love you always,
Tara

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Isaiah’s Bear

Posted on November 27, 2012 Written by Tonya

I have had the pleasure of meeting Sugar Jones several times and she is what I (and many others) would consider a BIG blogger. She hails from beautiful San Diego and her blog, aptly titled, Sugar in the Raw, is fun, honest, full of great info and insight.

Sugar is my guest today with a letter that is sure to tug at your heart strings especially if you are missing family you’ve never even met.

Dear Isaiah:

You just turned two. You are adorable and active and cherished by all the people in your life. Even the grandmother that hasn’t met you.

Me.

Your mom and I… we don’t talk. You don’t know that right now because you’re not aware of difficult relationships in your blissful realm. You just know that everyone around you loves you. No one is missing because everyone in your world IS your world.

While it makes me sad that I’m not part of that world, I smile thinking about how much love you are receiving from your my mom, your great-grandma. She tells me that your personality reminds her of me and that she thinks we would be so close. Her eyes get kinda watery when she talks about that, so even though I want to hear more about you and how you’re growing, I try to change the subject.

We have a present for you. We bought it when you were born. I thought we would have been able to give it to you by now, but like I said, things aren’t good between your mom and me. So I’ve held on to the teddy bear that your aunt and uncle picked out for you. We’ve kept it safe for the last two years, hoping that we can give it to you before you outgrow the need for something soft and cuddly to hug when your happy or sad or sick or smiling.

It’s a Corduroy bear. You know… from the book? I used to read Corduroy’s story to your aunt and uncle. They picked him out for you with Great-Grandma, you know. They thought you’d like the bear and the story, too. They were really looking forward to giving him to you. Now, when they see the bear, they wonder if they’ll get to give it to you at all. It breaks my heart when they ask, but I always tell them, “We’ll meet him. Just not right now.”

And I know we will meet you.

In my dreams, you are older when we finally give you the the bear. It seems silly handing a teddy bear to a young man, but I’m kinda silly about stuff like that. In my dreams, you take the bear in your hands, throw your head back in a big smile, and laugh, a big wide grin with your dimples shining through. You hug me and tell me that you love the bear and that you are so happy we are finally a family.

That’s my dream, and as silly as it sounds, I hope it comes true… someday.

Happy Birthday, Isaiah.

Love,
Grandma Shoog

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Love, Amy

Posted on November 13, 2012 Written by Tonya

Amy of A Diary of a Mad Woman is my guest today. Normally super sassy and always brutally honest, the mad woman proves she has a big heart too and it has been missing a very important piece.

Dear Mom,

You know I love you, right? I want to hammer that home because, well, because I’m a shit and I’ve been a rotten daughter and I want to make sure you know.

Do you remember when you would make Grandma’s hiking cookies. You’d meticulously pull out all of the ingredients and set them on the counter before measuring anything. Do you remember thinking you’d lost your mind when you couldn’t find the nutmeg? That was me. I hid it. EVERY TIME!

I love you.

Do you remember yelling out the window for me to come in when Jeff McDowell dropped me off late that one school night? Thank you for keeping me from kissing him. Really. THANK YOU.

And I love you.

Do you remember asking me why I didn’t tell you about getting pregnant at 17? I didn’t understand that your love for me wasn’t at risk. I didn’t know that the why didn’t matter. I didn’t know you wouldn’t let me go.

I so love you.

You were such an amazing woman to be able to raise a family of 7 on such a small income. My childhood was filled with activities and adventures and cherished memories. You made that possible. You held us all together, kept us clothed and fed and sheltered. It was because of you that we had such amazing and yet simple vacations. You made us appreciate mother nature and all her beauty. You forged our religious foundation, taught us about faith, showed us how to worship and live like good Christians.

I truly love you.

And yet there were the disappointments, deceptions and betrayals. Were any of them necessary? What purpose did they serve? I don’t even want to know the whys.

I don’t care, I love you.

In recent years you’ve retreated. I don’t know how to find you most days. You don’t respond to my calls or engage me in any meaningful communication. I worry for you. I know you are filled with fears and anxieties. I so very much wish I knew how to help.

I miss you so much it hurts. I need you to be my mom. I need your mind to be yours.

Wherever you are, whoever you’ve become, wherever you go, I love you.

Your daughter,
Amy

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Making Memories

Posted on November 13, 2012 Written by Tonya

Please tell me I’m not the only one in denial about it being November! Mid-November at that. WTH?

How is it even possible that Thanksgiving is a week away?

I can’t seem to get my brain wrapped around retailers promoting Christmas.

Christmas?!

Where did this year go?

After record heat for weeks, it is FINALLY boot season in Southern California!

My poor neglected blog has been a ghost town for days. All I have posted lately are letters for my weekly Letters For You series.

I’m never at a loss for ideas and have dozens of drafts started and should be working on my Thanksgiving gratitude posts and year-end round ups, but I’m not writing anything here.

Instead, I’ve been pouring my heart into articles for SheKnows, a new job that I am truly grateful to have. I am really proud of today’s post, Thanksgiving traditions to start now. I have also been…

basking in the glow of the Mumford & Sons concert my husband and I attended last Saturday night and…

celebrating three years of my Mommy & Me play group and two years of my husband and his partner opening EC on PCH and…

counting down to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 with my sister at midnight on Thursday and…

gearing up for a family vacation to Vancouver!

We leave in less than four days and my To Do list is beyond scary. I know it will all get done somehow and between now and boarding that airplane, I am going to make sure there will be moments to stop and savor like this:

Linking up with Galit (These Little Waves) and Alison’s (Writing, Wishing) monthly link up, Memories Captured.

Dear Family

Posted on November 6, 2012 Written by Tonya

Kim of Baby Feet is my guest today. She is a beautiful person and wonderful supporter of me and my words here.

Today, I am supporting her. Wholeheartedly.

Dear Husband and Children,

I am sorry, so very, very sorry.

I took so much away from you all when I was sick with the depression and anxiety. Everybody is telling me to not feel guilty about the missed time… but how can I not? If I’d gotten real help sooner, if I’d changed psychiatrists when I knew I was lying to him and he was letting me, if I’d told somebody the real, dirty truth sooner… Everything would have changed.

Children, I wouldn’t have made so many, many promises and then break them all. I wouldn’t have kept you inside so much and let you run outside more, the way you deserved. I wouldn’t have forced naps on you so I could sleep as well. I wouldn’t have let you eat cereal for every meal whenever I could because the effort of cooking was just too much. I wouldn’t have let you have ‘pajama day’ again and again, and would have instead dressed you all in the cute clothes I had just waiting in your closets. I wouldn’t have sat you in front of the TV and would have instead enjoyed doing crafts with you. I wouldn’t have had to leave you twice so I could go into the hospital. I wouldn’t have wasted days due to migraines and trips to the ER. I wouldn’t have been so heavily medicated at times that life was a thick, thick fog. I would have loved and nurtured you the way you needed and deserved.

Husband, I would have been present in our life together. I would have participated in our home life and not hid in our bedroom. I would have given you more kind words and not flung insults at you. I would have taken care of our children and our home so it all didn’t fall on you. I wouldn’t have taken so much time from your work with days I couldn’t get of bed, trips to the ER and time in the hospital. I would have gone on walks with you and the kids, laughed and made happy memories with you. I wouldn’t have stayed on the couch and watched as our life carried on without me.

I am so sorry. I want my memories of this time to be happy. But those 2 1/2 years only fill me with grief. I despise what I did to all of you. I feel I’ve failed you, and all the playtime, home cooked meals, grand promises that I carry through won’t make up for what I’ve done. Someday I’ll forgive myself, I’m told. The question is, will you ever be able to forgive me?

Love, Mom

Art,Violet, Sarah & John, Christmas 2010

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The Power Of The Process

Posted on October 23, 2012 Written by Tonya

I had the pleasure of meeting Jen of Buried with Children at BlogHer 2011 in San Diego. I am pleased to have her as my guest today with a letter to a process so grueling it rivals childbirth and Jen has four kids, people!! Triplets and their older brother. Please keep reading…

Dear Cat Adoption Process,

It was not my plan to get a cat from a shelter. But when one of the free kittens we got from a man off craig’slist became sick and died, I decided going to a reputable shelter would be they way to go since I never ever want to tell my children again that their pet of 5 days died.

Talk about sucking the joy from life.

I was so drained from that experience that I spent a week on the couch. Doing nothing but eating bon bons and watching TV. When the kid’s began to sit on me because they thought I was part of the couch and an air freshener ended up on my ass to hide the stink, I knew it was time to move on.

The kids, on the other hand, they bounced back right way and in no time at all were asking when we could get another cat.

I was determined to get a healthy cat so I did the responsible thing and called our vet to get the name of a local shelter. I found the shelter online and it was then that I became aware of the whole cat adoption process.

First, was the online application which was more involved than any application I ever filled out to become a nurse in my chosen profession. I needed to provide references, sign a wavier for a background check and submit a detailed history of past animals in our care.

Then there was the written essay where I had to use 250-500 words to tell them why we wanted the cat and why our home would be good for one. I told them about how a cat would complete our home and described in detail how we would care for them, what kind of food they would eat and how we’d give them catnip as to keep them happy.

And lastly, there was a home visit. Yup, two people from the shelter would come to our house and evaluate it to see if it was suitable for a cat. What this really meant is that I had to spend time cleaning and organizing our home, something I don’t even do when my mother comes over to visit.

Do you know what I had to go through to become a parent? I got a bottle of wine and said to my husband, “Hey, you wanna do it?”

Since I want to make my kids happy and hopefully erase any scars that a pet death could leave, I did all those things and then waited. I figured it take at least a month for our information to be processed but much to my surprise the next day, I received an email. We were approved.

Things were suddenly moving a lot faster than I thought, which had to be because my essay was so powerful and moving, and the next day with the kids in tow, we headed to the shelter.

I have never in my life seen so many cats in one place at one time. I couldn’t tell if the floor was carpeted or just had back to back cats lining it. We were led into a small room filled with about 15 kittens and told to get know one. Not an easy task since my rambunctious children entered the room, jumping up and down, stepping on a cat or two causing all the ‘smart’ ones to run and hide.

From the few that were brave enough to stay out in the open, we choose our cat. I figured we’d have to leave the cat there and come back another day but I was wrong again. Because the cat adoption aid said, “Alright, let’s have you sign some paper work and you are free to take the cat home.”

I looked at her dumbfounded.

“What-what about discussing the application?” I stumbled, in complete shock,”And the home visit? I cleaned my house for you. I prepared myself to be judged and deemed cat-worthy.”

She looked at me like I had lost my mind. “Do you want the cat?” she asked again.

“YEAH!” all the kids screamed, answering for me so I nodded in agreement.

“Then sign this paper that says you will never declaw the cat and he is yours,” she stated

In a huff, I took the paper and signed it. I wondered how in the world this rule of ‘never declawing our cat’ would be enforced all the while making a mental note to expect a surprise visit from the cat gestapo.

We coaxed the cat into our carried which was much like trying to get a round peg in a square hole and we left.

As we drove with our new cat, the kids meowing at the top of their lungs, I reviewed this weird process in my head and decided, the next my kids want a new cat, I am just going to have another baby.

Signed,
The ‘used to wanna-be’ Cat Lady

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Dear Beamer

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