Rest in love, Chicco
Nearly a month ago now, our beloved cat, Chicco, passed away. Still feels like yesterday when he became a part of our family.
Back in November, our vet detected some breathing issues which after many vet appointments was finalized as Idiopathic Chylous Effusion, fluid building up in his chest cavity for no apparent reason. We started a low-fat diet and a supplement and while he seemed to be doing well, inside his body was deteriorating. A rare condition in cats and not much to be done aside from a change in diet and even more love and cuddles. Upon returning to the house, he always greeted us at the door. He curled up right next to me when it was a family movie night. Chicco sat with us as we ate our meals, knowing that it was his time to eat as well and hang out. He stayed nearby when the kids were practicing piano, doing homework, drawing, reading, playing with Legos. Chicco would position himself on a window ledge in the kitchen overseeing my work in the kitchen. He watched over chores being done in the house and the second any window was opened in the house, he was right there to see the action. He just liked being by our sides.
We are heartbroken with his loss and miss him everyday.
Stages of grief and loss most definitely apply to a family pet, our first family pet too. Adored by our family from the beginning. By our side was where he was the majority of the time, he knew he was part of our family.
Chosen
I had such a beautiful experience yesterday.
Like many others this time of year, I was out picking up a few things for Christmas. The store I was in did not have many cash registers open so I went to the end of the line at the nearest cashier. In front of me was an older woman with a cart and a few moments later a younger woman with her cart and a toddler in the seat basket stepped up to the older lady. Making the correct assumption that they were together, I stepped back to give them more room.
The toddler in the seat, a boy perhaps about 2 years old, was looking up to the ceiling above us and saying “light” and pointing to a single birthday balloon, no string attached to rescue it. He looked to me and repeated “light” and pointed above. I looked up too, hoping he caught the smile in my eyes as I had a mask on, and asked him what he was looking at. He pointed and repeated “light” to me a few times. I pointed to the balloon and asked him if he saw the pretty birthday balloon, it was in the shape of a cupcake, to which he then repeated the word “balloon” a few times looking between the ceiling and me.
The line moved slowly but this young boy and I just smiled at one another, chatted about the light/balloon and he played quietly with his fingers. He looked up and stretched his arms out, I took it to mean he wanted a hug to which I returned to him a thumbs up sign with my right hand. He copied my hand movement and gave me a thumbs up sign back. Then he stretched his arms out wide again to my direction and said “Hug.” The older lady, Nana as I heard the younger lady call her, said to him “who’s going to give you a hug?” The young boy looked at me with those tiny arms stretched out wide. He attempted climbing out of the cart seat basket to which his mom settled him back in and told him he needed to stay seated. He made some little noises, stayed seated for a moment and then made another attempt to climb out. At this point, we’re nearing the cash register and the mom gently lifted him out of the cart seat and as his little feet touch the floor, he comes quickly to me and holds tight to my legs. He had caught the attention of others in line and they began oohing and awwing over this sweet gesture from a little boy to a complete stranger.
I reach down with my free hand and pat him gently on his back as he continues to tighten his hold on my legs. I look to his mom to make sure this is ok and she says that she’s never seen him do that before to someone he doesn’t know. My mommy instincts take over and I bend down to this little boy’s level and he releases my legs and clasps his arms around my neck. Again, I’m looking to the mom to make sure she’s ok with this as the customers in front and the customers behind us are smiling, watching us and there is a chorus of “Awws!” I lift up to standing and he wraps his little legs around my waist, arms still holding tight around my neck. He places his head on my shoulder and even through our jackets, I can feel our hearts beating together.
I ask his mom her son’s name. “Chosen,” she replies. I blink away tears and tell Chosen’s mom that it’s a beautiful name.
At this point, we are at the cashier and Chosen’s mom allows me to go in front of her to pay first saying that she could then take Chosen from my arms so I could leave the store. She said she’s expecting this to be tough. I realize that I can’t reach my wallet as it’s in my small backpack on my back and I’m holding Chosen up with both arms as he continues to snuggle in towards the left side of my body. I ask his mom for help to hand me my wallet from my bag, which she does with a smile. I spring a hand loose to pay and to take my shopping bag and then return to holding the sweet boy with both hands. I suggest she pay for her things and load up her cart and allow me to continue holding her son. As I turn towards Chosen’s mom and now facing the line of customers behind us, a couple women gasp as they read my mask. One single word across my mask – Kindness. A woman within our line says “I’ve never seen anything like this, of course her mask says kindness on it.
Chosen’s mom pays, collects her shopping bags in her cart and she says to Chosen that it’s time to go, Chosen continues to hold onto me. I make the suggestion to walk out together and we do. We walk to her car, I ask Chosen if he’s ready to get in his car with his mommy, he releases his arms from my neck, smiles at me and turns his body in the direction of his mom’s open arms. I tell her that Chosen gave me a beautiful experience that I will always remember. She tells me that I was correct to wear that mask and wishes me a Merry Christmas.
Blueberry Scones are always a good idea!
Ingredients
6 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP Lemon Zest
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking power
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into 16 pieces and frozen
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more for glazing before baking
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling before baking
Directions
- In a small bowl, zest one cleaned lemon, about 1 TBSP worth of zest. Add the sugar to lemon zest and mix to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. Gently stir in the zest and sugar mixture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, egg and vanilla.
- Add the frozen, cubed butter to the large bowl and using either your fingers or a pastry cutter, combine until pea-sized bread crumbs are formed, trying to not handle too much.
- Drizzle wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, add blueberries. Using a spatula combine together everything. Flour your hands and scoop mixture onto a floured counter surface or floured baking mat.
- Using as little pressure with your hands as possible, gently work dough into a ball. Press into an 8-inch disc, about 3/4 inch tall and slice into 8 wedges. Place disc onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Set oven to 400 degrees.
- After refrigerating, space wedges about 2-3 inches apart. Glaze top with additional heavy cream and turbinado sugar, if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until browned around edges and top. Leave to cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Buon Appetito!
qualcosa di bello 