November 5
“It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made
the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give
it to whomever it seems right to me. Jeremiah 27:5
A little over a year ago, my dear older sister passed away. For many years she had been challenged by health issues that depleted her; yet still her passing came as a shock, even though perhaps it seems it shouldn’t have. Maybe it was because she was always there in my life, that I thought she always would be. Now with her and my dearly loved older brother both gone, the position of being eldest in my family is now mine; a place I never envisioned to be.
My sister was always there looking out for me when we were growing up, and with her and my brother beside me, along with one of our dogs, I felt safe everywhere we went. From my sister, I learned my first prayers, listening to her litany of recitation every night. She helped me learn to read, to fold laundry and find the best blueberries in the woods with our dog beside us. She was my “first” best friend! We would play with our dolls, make up imaginary families with our pets as our children, and role play long before it was understood. In the dark of night we whispered secrets only sisters can share and in later years, we would recall our family history as only siblings can. She blessed my life by loving me unconditionally and more importantly to me, loved my children and grandchildren deeply. Never did a birthday or occasion go by without each of them being remembered by their Aunt with a card chosen just for them, and on nearly every one there was a sketch of a cat or dog, the proceeds of which went to an animal advocacy foundation.
Her greatest love beside that for her husband Jim and their son, was her passionate love of animals, which began at a very young age. As kids, she was always surrounded by neighborhood stray cats that she would feed with scraps secretly salvaged from the leftovers of our family meals! In her adulthood, multiple dogs and cats were “parented” by her; each one’s name and personality etched in her heart; a heart that would break when it came their time to leave this world. She felt strongly every animal was a special gift from God, given to her by Him, and will always be remembered for her unconditional love for each of them; a love she received back from them, "Over and over since I was a kid!" she used to say. The fact that animals have no voice and are at the mercy of others for their care, catapulted her fervent advocacy for their safety and well-being.
Those of us with furry family members, undoubtedly feel in our hearts that God has directed them to us – or is it us to them once we acted upon the tug in our heart? And we are grateful, that to God it seemed right for Him to give them to us.
For blessing our lives with those who love us and for giving us your animals and birds that complete our families, we thank you God!
Please consider donating to your local animal shelter!
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
“It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made
the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give
it to whomever it seems right to me. Jeremiah 27:5
A little over a year ago, my dear older sister passed away. For many years she had been challenged by health issues that depleted her; yet still her passing came as a shock, even though perhaps it seems it shouldn’t have. Maybe it was because she was always there in my life, that I thought she always would be. Now with her and my dearly loved older brother both gone, the position of being eldest in my family is now mine; a place I never envisioned to be.
My sister was always there looking out for me when we were growing up, and with her and my brother beside me, along with one of our dogs, I felt safe everywhere we went. From my sister, I learned my first prayers, listening to her litany of recitation every night. She helped me learn to read, to fold laundry and find the best blueberries in the woods with our dog beside us. She was my “first” best friend! We would play with our dolls, make up imaginary families with our pets as our children, and role play long before it was understood. In the dark of night we whispered secrets only sisters can share and in later years, we would recall our family history as only siblings can. She blessed my life by loving me unconditionally and more importantly to me, loved my children and grandchildren deeply. Never did a birthday or occasion go by without each of them being remembered by their Aunt with a card chosen just for them, and on nearly every one there was a sketch of a cat or dog, the proceeds of which went to an animal advocacy foundation.
Her greatest love beside that for her husband Jim and their son, was her passionate love of animals, which began at a very young age. As kids, she was always surrounded by neighborhood stray cats that she would feed with scraps secretly salvaged from the leftovers of our family meals! In her adulthood, multiple dogs and cats were “parented” by her; each one’s name and personality etched in her heart; a heart that would break when it came their time to leave this world. She felt strongly every animal was a special gift from God, given to her by Him, and will always be remembered for her unconditional love for each of them; a love she received back from them, "Over and over since I was a kid!" she used to say. The fact that animals have no voice and are at the mercy of others for their care, catapulted her fervent advocacy for their safety and well-being.
Those of us with furry family members, undoubtedly feel in our hearts that God has directed them to us – or is it us to them once we acted upon the tug in our heart? And we are grateful, that to God it seemed right for Him to give them to us.
For blessing our lives with those who love us and for giving us your animals and birds that complete our families, we thank you God!
Please consider donating to your local animal shelter!
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson