Adele - Chasing Pavements

The voice of Adele is haunting sweetness to me. She has the sort of angelic and passionate pain in her voice that digs down deep in my soul. I love the way she lays it all down in her songs, heart and soul, magic of love and pain of loss, shame and torture, revival and strength of self. I was drawn in quickly by her lyrics, her heart and her mystical sound.

Chester the cat, filled my life with wonder!

As this day began to unfold, my kitty cat took her last breath. Chester the cat came into my life two decades ago on a cool evening in March as I was leaving a home on Chesterfield Street in Ferndale, where I had been visiting a friend. She was just a tiny kitten then and she wrapped herself around my ankle and sat on my foot. She had been wandering around for about a week on her own according to my friend who lived there. So, I always say that she chose me and I was so glad that she did.

She spent many years living with my Father as well and provided him much happiness and companionship through his final days. Chester (the name stuck, even after I found out she was a she, not a he) was always faithful, affectionate and a true companion. As a small kitten, she would sleep on my pillow, wrapped around the top of my head. In later years, she loved to sleep right on my chest and that is where she was when she took her last breath. In her life, she followed me around and sat nearby as I was doing day to day things. There were a lot of sweet little affectionate things that she did, like putting her paw right on my lips as I pet her, purring really loud and she would stand on her back legs doing her "pretty dance" as she waited for her food dish to be put down in front of her. In her final days, she really fought hard and even though she was terribly weak, she used what little energy she had to put her paw on my lip and a few times even pushed the top of her head into my chin and on her last night with me, she actually licked my face as if to kiss me goodbye.

On that night, back in 1991, I could not have imagined her living until I was almost 40 years old. I feel like Chester and I really grew up together. Of course, in human years, Chester would have been 97 years old. So, she surpassed me in her wisdom. I have heard some people say that animals do not have souls, I disagree. Chester has a beautiful soul. For the last four days, she laid on my chest just staring into my eyes and I could feel her spirit, her love for life. Chester provided years of wonder, warmth and companionship to me, my Father, my daughter and she will be missed. Her love and her soul will live on in my heart forever.

Great friendships

There is so much wonder that ebbs and flows from great friendships that can truly stand the test of time. I have been very fortunate in my life to maintain some great connections spanning more than 2 decades. In friendships that begin in childhood and last on into the later years of life, there is a remarkable kind of connection that feels like home, offering a sense of unity throughout the passage of time. Having people in my life that have grown with me and always offered that unconditional love has been one of my greatest treasures. Throughout my life, I have viewed my closest friends as family. I think it is extremely important to surround yourself with individuals who bring light, love, understanding, compassion, inspiration, honesty, passion and harmony.

I think I am always grateful for the amazing relationships that I have in my life. Still, from time to time, I see a more vivid picture detailing just how vibrant these relationships are in affecting me from the inside out.

One day, a couple of weeks ago, I was struggling with one of those days where defeat seemed to be chasing my coattails. As the day was coming to a close, I felt drained, hopeless and uninspired. I decided to telephone my best friend who is really like a sister to me and after only ten minutes with her, I was revived!!! Her ability to bring me back to center was incredible and just what I needed at that moment. So, it became even more clear to me what a wonderful relationship I have with her and how important it is to cherish it!

I am grateful and filled with wonder for the amazing experiences that I have been gifted as a result of this friendship and many other relationships that have brought wondrous beauty into my life. We never know how long we have here to absorb the wonder of it all and breathe in the many fragrances that spill into our lives on a daily basis. So, soak it up, make the most of every moment and do not waste any time in anger or frustration or what is out of your control. Because, the only thing that really counts is sharing moments with those that you love and discovering the best in each other, drawing out the positive to create an environment of love with no room for anger and resentment. The strength is in your love, find it there and let it fill your heart and soul.