Rich came home last night at 9 and I knew instantly that something was wrong.  He told me that our little cat Patches got hit in the road and that she was dead.

I don’t really want to write too many details about how I feel.  It would be hard for me to write and hard for you to read.

I’m just so very sad.  I’ve been awake since 3 in the morning, thinking about Patches and crying.

When people think of Shanda, they probably think of a busy mom of five.  But my mom and dad know, and my siblings know, and now Rich is probably finally realizing, how much I deeply love my cats.  I may be busy, but I always have a peaceful content feeling when there are cats about the house.  It always feels right to pet a cat, and to have one purring next to me.

I’m going to miss my mighty little hunter, and the gifts she left me at the door.  I will miss her loud purr, and the cute things she used to do.

When the children are awake later on this morning, I’ll have to break the news to them.  David especially loved Patches, Patches was his very real friend.  Grace also will be very sad, Patches was her baby.

Pictures for the kids, because I know they will want to see them today~

 

 

She was born in our previous house, and spent every day of her life with us~

  

Patches is climbing the tree in this picture.  Angie is her mother (the gray one) and disappeared almost a year ago.  We still have Spot, he is outside right now, as soon as he comes home I will be comforted somewhat.

Patches caught a frog once, which disgraced her mother.

 

The kids all held Patches this way, which I thought looked so uncomfortable.  Patches was usually happily purring, though.  I used to say, “Patches!! Sit like a lady!” and the kids would laugh.

 

 

 

She was a patient kitty~I always think of pairs figure skating when I see this picture:

 

Patches left us a fish once~I still can’t believe she caught one~

 

She even wanted to catch a duck~this is why I began thinking of her as “The Mighty Hunter”

But most of all she was just plain sweet-as-a-kitten-can-be.

 

ouch, ouch, ouch, it hurts.

 

EDIT******It’s now about 8:15 and I told all the kids.  I told each one separately.  Jacob took it the worse, he said, “What???” and cried that was it.  The rest of them didn’t say much.  I just talked to them about how I loved Patches, and we would miss her, etc, etc.

Turns out THEY are comforting ME.  I was actually chuckling a little bit over their passionate conversations over breakfast. . .not a word about Patches, instead they are discussing what kind of cat they will get next, what color, and what they will name it.  Everyone has their own opinion.  Last I heard, it was to be orange with white feet, and they will name it “Hobo”.  Although, Grace does NOT like that name.  And Ethan would prefer a Siamese, with blue eyes and long hair.

Now they are gathering up all their stuffed animals and playing with them upstairs.  They are dealing with it in their own way, and I’m sure I will find them in tears on an off throughout the day.

However, at the moment I am “left to weep alone”.  (I write, with a half-hearted smile). . . . . . and I’m thankful for my happy little gang of children.  They seem very secure and resilient, which is a comfort, and makes it easier for me.