Hi friends!
It has been too long, I know. Between computer problems (another one down), a trip to the US, and life, I've been out of touch. But today I had the overwhelming urge to come here and write.
Why? Because I have an awesome life. Not bragging, just grateful.
About 3 weeks ago, poor Potter had an absolutely horrible 2 days. He had been having some stomach issues, so the vet wanted to do an endoscopy. This entails 24 hours without food followed by a full day of harrowing procedures at the vet (and just getting there is harrowing enough). The vet's report was not good. With a sad face he said to me, "ce n'est pas joli" ... it's not pretty. Long story short, he thought it was probably cancer. But we'll wait for the biopsy results, they always add. I was crushed. I cried all that night and half of the next day. My boy isn't even 12 yet. The vet said it would take 8 to 10 days for the biopsy results to come back, so I thought I'd know before my trip to the US. I didn't. He didn't call, and I didn't call him. If I don't know, I can stay in denial, I decided. Last Friday, while I sat at the kitchen table of my sweet friend Melina, my Mom called to say that I should call my friend Penny who was staying at my apartment caring for my babes. "Just tell me Mom," I pleaded. "It's good news," she said. So with tears in my eyes I frantically dialed my home number. "It's not cancer," Penny said. Melina and I both fought back tears, tears of joy, of course. Not cancer!!! Thank you God.
I still haven't spoken to the vet (he's out until Monday), but it seems that it's a bad but manageable stomach infection. As I type this, my boy lies beside me, purring. Inside I'm purring too. So very grateful am I.
My trip to the US was great too. I got to spend time with my wonderful parents who are healthy and active and really enjoying their retirement and also with my dear uncle, my hilarious brother and sister in law, and my amazingly smart, cute, sweet, funny nephews. And with friends--it was such fun to catch up with everyone.
And it's good to be home. As I walked to Monoprix yesterday afternoon, passing the Eiffel Tower, what looked like a magazine photo shoot, a live performance of some kind, and an entire wall of the most gorgeous roses, I thought to myself, "I have an awesome life." I live in this amazingly beautiful city, eat this amazing food, hear music in the streets almost daily, have enough work to keep the bills paid and enjoy myself a little, am healthy, have healthy parents and healthy fur-children, and so much more. I have friends from all over the world, there's always something to do, always something interesting to read or see or listen to, flowers everywhere (and lately walking down the street, I smell flowers--not dog poo! It won't last, of course, but it's great as long as it does! :)
My friends Penny and Donna took great care of Potter and Gracie, and I came home to gorgeous birthday flowers (thank you Donna!), clean sheets, and happy kitties.
I really am so blessed, fortunate, whatever you want to call it. I do, today and every day, even when it's a bad day and it doesn't feel like it, have so very much to be grateful for.
