Thursday, June 9, 2016

measure of character

**a post by the mom

The Friday that I left Best Friends, I stopped by the medical clinic (Hope House) in Cat World where a friend of mine now works (she volunteered with me, took her family back out and now she and her husband both live and work out there). She grabbed a chair and took me back to her desk. Another chair was back there with two cats curled up asleep - both evident from their appearance to be pretty old.

I sat down and the black cat heaved himself to his feet, walked between the arm and the back of the chair and on to my lap. From there he wiggled his way up to my shoulder and then made himself quite comfortable as I crossed my arms to give him a place to lay down. He rumbled a deep throaty purr and sighed. My friend and I chatted for about 40 minutes - he lay curled on my arms the entire time. She got called away to do something and another employee walked in and saw Darius lounging in my arms. She told me thank you for loving on their boy. I just nodded as I really hadn't thought anything about letting him climb up on me and snooze.

My friend and I continued to talk and she told me about Darius and his friend (whose name escapes me). Come to find out the sanctuary pulled them both from a kill shelter. They had been living in Hope House for about 3 months as the vet staff tried to give them some quality of life....Darius was about 16 years old and his friend a year younger. Darius wasn't doing any better and had begun to decline....the staff had made the decision to help him cross Rainbow Bridge - and in fact were going to do it that afternoon. I didn't know that when I sat down and honestly, it wouldn't have made any difference to me.

I had to get going, hugged my friend and put Darius back with his buddy - kissing his head and wishing him a safe and gentle journey over the Bridge. I got packed, got a shower and headed south on the freeway back to Las Vegas. As I glanced at the clock in the car, I realized Darius had left this world, and I admit I shed a few tears for him and the people who loved him at Hope House.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As I drove, I got to thinking about things. I have heard some version of the quote above several times. But what if a measure of character isn't just how people react in times of adversity but how they react when others are in need of comfort? What if a measure of character happens in those quiet between moments when nothing is expected of us but "being"?

Darius was old....he was so very thin....he had patches of missing fur....he had scabs on his ears.

I thought through the people I know. Would everyone have been willing to sit with him curled up in their arms? If I am completely honest, the answer is no. There are people I know that would have taken one look at him and made sure he didn't get any where near them. In my mind, I was just sitting there, why not let him snooze on me if that is what he wanted.

I'm not writing this for applause or self congratulations. But it made me give serious thought to the people I have in my life.

It isn't that hard to sit quietly and allow an animal some comfort in a warm lap. And yet not everyone would have been open to the experience. Now...some may have changed their minds when they found out the additional information about him, but I think that disregards the original premise - that comfort should not have requirements or restrictions. It should be freely given regardless of circumstance.

Sometimes we have people in our lives that give voice to their opinions about what WE should be doing with our OWN lives. The thing I want this to make you...and me...think about is how we let those outside voices affect our decisions. And maybe start to limit the effect those voices have on how WE choose to live our lives.

28 comments:

  1. Great post and it is so nice that Darius sat in your lap and had a bunch of love there at the end. I do also admire Best Friends for thinking about the quality of life of the animals and know when it is time for them to go to the bridge.

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  2. Oh...what a bittersweet post, thought-provoking too. I'd have been happy to let him curl up on me, though it would have been harder to do if I'd known he was to pass. Poor love, I hope he's at peace. Godspeed, Darius.

    Jeanne, *thank you* (and everyone else) for giving him love and kindness.

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  3. I believe that all things are enmeshed together; our atoms and molecules mingle. When we hold someone close, both sets of atoms spin around each other, and when we separate, not all of the atoms retreat. We are a part of each other. Darius was so lucky to have you share your 'self' with him as he was making his transition, and you still have bits of Darius with you...always.

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  4. Powerful post. Just going through what I am right now I am having to fight off those who disagree with my decisions and it makes things so much harder than they should be. But yes, everyone should listen to that inner voice and also learn and lean into the art of compassion.

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  5. Darius knew he could get some quality time from you... but I bet he didn't know he would inspire this lovely post.

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    1. thanks....I wasn't sure about writing it, but it kept banging around in my brain trying to get out :)

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  6. A wonderful post that brought me to tears. I am grateful that Darius got to spend his last months in a place where he was loved, and I'm glad he received your love that last day. Yes, I would have gladly held him, even if I knew. I probably would have shed tears, but I would have wanted to let him feel love and comfort. I'm not patting myself on the back either--but that is how I am. Some people in my life think I'm quite silly to "care so much," but that is my heart, and I will not deny it. Bless you, sweet angel Darius.

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  7. How wonderful that Darius passed peacefully in your arms - he must have known you would take care of him at that very moment. Thank you.

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  8. Tears here too. My life became a whole lot better when I started silencing the voices of others who 'shared' with me what I was doing wrong. I'm not perfect at it, but I'm working on it.

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  9. Tears here too. My life became a whole lot better when I started silencing the voices of others who 'shared' with me what I was doing wrong. I'm not perfect at it, but I'm working on it.

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  10. I'm sitting here with a Robin Williams movie on pause, bawling my eyes out for a cat I've never met. I would loved to have held him. And I think it says a hell of a lot about you, Jeanne, that he chose to crawl up on you, recognizing something in your spirit perhaps, and giving you the chance to know him in his last hours. He felt your heart, and through him, now I know more of your heart too. Thank you, and I love you for it.
    I need more tissues..

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  11. Beautiful post. Darius is a lucky cat to have met you. You just gave him love and some of your time : you gave him so much, so much... Purrs

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  12. Very well put. I'm glad that Darius had your loving arms to rest on. I wish all cats knew that kindness. And I wish all humans were that kind.

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  13. We are very glad he had the chance to know love in his final time. Thank you for that.

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  14. I realize you're not asking for, nor want applause for this post, or your actions Jeanne, but you're getting it anyway. Darius was smart in that he sensed your character; I'm happy that he knew he was LOVED. Godspeed your journey Darius ♥♥♥

    { Were the nose to nose nominations still open; this post would be nominated for best written pet blog post } ♥

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  15. I think, indeed, that is a fine measure of character. What a beautiful post and beautiful thoughts you put together. Darius left this world having felt love. How does it get any better than that?
    God bless you for caring.
    Cam and Mags' mom

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  16. Wow...I'm speechless. Darius was so lucky to have you in his final hours, and truth be told you were very lucky to have those moments with him too. He sounds like a precious soul who knew a very special human when he saw her.

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  17. Beautifully said. How special that Darius chose you to spend some of his last hours with. He obviously left his mark on you.

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  18. How touching that you could give Darius the quality time he craved during his last day. Kindnesses often don't cost more of us than time and an open heart. Than you and Darius for reminding all of us of it.

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  19. A good article. I think it encapsulates why I have so few people in my life. And I wish every Darius could have a final hour like that one did.

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  20. RIP Darius. When you curled up in a friend's arms you left an inspiring message, little one. Great post and good example of what cats do silently. x

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  21. Thank you. Thank you for these words, some that we have thought about ourselves. And thank you for spending time with angel Darius.

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  22. Once upon a time, I would not have called people out, but since I'm on the downside of life, I do it now. I do it on Facebook where I can speak freely. No one has to listen to me but it's necessary to say things sometimes. Thank you for this beautiful work of love. You are right about people and by being the way they are they miss beautiful moments in their antiseptic lives.

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  23. Thank you for these words of wisdom. Darius was a lucky kitty to spend a portion of his last time here being in your caring arms.

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