I’m not much of party girl, so New Year’s Eve has always been a quiet day of reflection for me. I look back over the past year, and set some intentions for the coming year.
Looking back over 2019 will be bittersweet. Up until September, it was a very good year for Allegra, Ruby and me. Then, of course, everything changed when Ruby got sick. As a result, I’m having a hard time letting go of this year – after all, it was the last year Ruby was with me in physical form.
My grief is too fresh and raw to get excited about the possibilities a new year holds. I’ve never been much of a planner. If 2019 has taught me anything, it’s that you need to treasure every moment you have with your loved ones, because you never know when it’s all going to change. And maybe that’s the only intention I need for 2020: live in the moment, and hold your loved ones close.
I wish you a safe and Happy New Year’s Eve and a very Happy New Year.
Ingrid and Allegra,
I’m so sorry for your heartfelt loss. My heart breaks at this difficult time you are going through. Please know we are all thinking of you and hoping that the memories of your precious Ruby will stay with you forever.
One thing that truly helped me through my loss of Lucy, Missy, and Athena, all in the last year, and one half, was to create a photo memorial of them, in a tri-fold frame, securing special adjectives that described them. I used special spray glue and then epoxied over the words. I had to do something with my energy, with my mind, to honor their existence and to also honor their loss.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
Laurie Staalberg
Thank you for your wisdom & heart. Praying you will take comfort in every precious moment you & Allegra shared with your angel, Ruby. May the endearing love you shared fill your heart & home now & always.
Ingrid may your heart heal in the New Year.
INGRID. ALLEGRA, WE LOVE YOU . AND FEEL YOUR SADNESS. AND PRAY THAT THE SPIRIT OF RUBY IN HEAVEN WILL BRING YOU PEACE. HAVE A BLESSED 2020. AND HOPE WE WILL CONTINUE SEEN RUBY LIKE SHE IS STILL HERE. BECAUSE SHE IS HERE IN SPIRIT WITH US ALWAYS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! WE ARE ALL HERE WITH YOU. WE LOVE YOU.
Have a Very Happy Mew Year
Thank you for this heartfelt, poignant image at the top of your post. Everything we do, reflects on our ability to care for our fur babies.
I am a retired senior woman, who lives alone, with three delightful cats. They are sometimes a big pain in the butt, but more often, they bring immense companionship, joy, and out-loud laughter, at their daily antics.
I’m sorry for the loss of your special Ruby. Please know that your love was not lost. I love, love, love the quote: “Grief is love with nowhere to go”. I’m not able to credit the author, because I don’t know who she is.
Our kitties give us way more than we give them. Hope, Joy, companionship, and their unending love.
I’ve lost three CKD kitties in the last 18 months; hurt males you want to retreat and not do it again, but love overrides the hurt.
Peace be with everyone and all four footers! Happy New Year! STAY SAFE this evening.
I cannot tell you the number of times I have thought of you and prayed that you find peace at the loss of Ruby. I told my tortie kitty, Sophie, about Ruby and hugged and kissed her even more. May your heart heal and may 2020 bring the peace you seek and unexpected surprises and love. Take care, Ingrid. I read The Conscious Cat every day and consider you a friend. So glad you are also staying in tonight where it is safe. Hope people lay off the fireworks that scare the fur babies.
I always like to end my year with a declaration of Gratitude! I have so enjoyed your website . So I’d like to Thank You and Allegra and Ruby for all of the Positive messages and Information you’ve provided to SO many!! And a Special Thank You to ALL our FUR BABIES whose Best Lesson is to Enjoy the Moment!! HAPPY NEW YEAR to YOU and ALL!
I know it will be hard to focus on much right now with all the memories flooding you. Just hold onto those memories. They are a gift that no one can take away from you.
I don’t celebrate New Years either. I left my partying days many many years ago and I don’t even like staying awake late. To me, it’s just another day.
My prayers for you and Allegra during this difficult time. I also pray for Ruby, i believe she is safe in Jesus hands now. When He died it was to Redeem ALL His creation. God bless you all and strengthen you in the New Year.
Ingrid & Allerga,
That is very true. Live each second, minute, hour, & day. MUCH can change.
You & Allerga lost your beloved Tortie girl. Ruby is looking out for her Mom & sister. Someday, all of you will be crossing The Rainbow Bridge & meeting, greeting, & being with each other for ever.
Everytime I hear the word tuna, I will always thing of Ruby & her love of tuna cakes! God..keep you & Allerga safe, happy. One never knows what will be in store for the future, & 2020….
Grayson, Milo, Nancy
Allegra and Ingrid, you know everyone’s heart and prayers are with you as you being this new year without Ruby, but she’ll be with y’all in spirit. hope you can look towards the new year knowing Ruby is at peace and playing happily without pain. She will be there waiting for your both when you join her eventually, and you will be reunited forever. Take heart in knowing you each gave your best to the other, think of all the good things in your lives and hold each other in your hearts. have a safe, healthy and prosperous new year……love
My heartfelt sympathies to you on your loss, especially at this time of year, when everything is supposed to be joyous and bright. It doesn’t help that the reduction in sunlight also contributes to an increase of sadness for many.
I too, am going through my own loss – the first three purrbabies I adopted all passed this year and it’s hard to imagine life without them, even though there are ‘brothers and sisters’ aplenty to love. Especially hard is one who fought cancer for three years but just couldn’t hold on any longer, even though she was actually cancer free at the time. They live in my heart forever.
I hope everyone dealing with loss, ill purrbabies and furbabies, and all of the other problems of day to day life find the coming year filled with better times and hope for a better future. Have a Blessed Year.
Sending love & light to you both Ingrid as you reflect & remember Ruby,she’ll always be in your heart.
Although you had some idea where your journey was headed after Ruby’s diagnosis, it just never seems like there is an easier way. I think we feel like if I knew sooner … or some of us feel that we’re grateful we didn’t grieve the long good-bye … but I don’t think it’s EVER what we call the best way. Just like how we deal … In my heart I know I’m not dealing well. But in public I secretly hope no one thinks I’ve got a screw loose when they mention his name and the tears instantly well up. Sometime, they fall freely but so unexpectedly I feel ashamed …
I keep looking at pictures, and when I look at the date I instantly compute how much longer I actually had left with them when that picture was taken …
Maybe you’ll find a way to write using your sweet baby girl. I don’t mean being “Ingrid” the person we come to for advice and information. I mean as her mommy. I mean the way you always animate Ruby and Allegra and create scenarios.
We enjoy those, and you might find it cathartic. I did it with Casey. Actually I’m still doing it. I haven’t finished it, I think because somewhere in my mind when I finish it, he’ll really be gone. I will though. And I’ll publish it. Maybe no one but me will ever see it and I don’t really care…
But when YOU write, we all read and the beauty known as Ruby will continue forever. Books never go away. In 15 – 20 years, the same way people will be reading your other stories, someone will be holding the story with Ruby, as the heroine, a true character (THAT she was!) … played out as only you know it would.
Just an idea …
Still with you …
Love my Angel and it near broke my heart when he passed – his legacy is a magnificent small citrus tree in a big pot that i call Angel StarSeed Kumquat tree – and its blossoming again!
So sorry about your Ruby. Cats are the highest incarnation. When they have reached the highest in the cat reincarnation they become fairies. I know stuff.
My tortie Nakomi died two years ago today. I’m lighting a candle for her and for Ruby……and for us because we miss them so much.
Ingrid and Allegra…I wish. you both a Happy and Healthy New Year…love to you both and to Ruby in Heaven at the Bridge xoxox