End of the year ~ a time to meditate

Clever idea for the new year (but starting TODAY).  In one of my clergy groups, someone lamented:  "Never tell the pastor anything important on Sunday!"  There are too many people and too many distractions to remember it all, even in small congregations.  If it's important (like a prayer request, hospitalization, upcoming event, need for a visit), give the pastor a written note.  Another pastor responded with a card she had made up (illustration above).  This is a great idea!  I told her:

"Thank you!  I'm retired now, but I typed up a slightly revised version of this and printed out a dozen to give it a try.  Living in a senior retirement center and making plans with lots of friends to get together or to do something for someone means I occasionally forget to jot it on my calendar.  I'll try this out today, as a matter of fact.  Looking forward to it."

What else do I plan for the coming year?

Barbara's cat Mindy

• I'll write in my new Becoming journal.
• I intend to do more with my music, like regularly practicing the piano and teaching Gail to play.
• I'll miss the friends who died this year:  Evelyn, Barbara, and Sandy
• I'll also miss their cats:  Mindy (Barbara's cat, who moved to Vermont), Sasha (Sandy's cat, who moved out of Donna's apartment this afternoon), and Patches (Evelyn's cat, who has never appeared on my blog before).
• I'll exercise with our little group of friends on Friday afternoons, as we've been doing since April.
• I'll continue to clear out the books in my apartment, keeping only the ones I'm likely to read or re-read in this lifetime.

One way I'll do this "book removal" project is by climbing Mt. TBR, the challenge to read the TBR (to-be-read) books already on my shelves.  My goal is to read at least 48 of them before the end of the year.

Now I need to finish these library books and get them out of my way, right?  Right.

Mindy is a happy kitty

Mindy being petted today.

Clawdia meets Mindy

I was turning on my laptop when Clawdia decided to sit beside me.  When my desktop picture appeared, Clawdia noticed it for the first time.  I hadn't realized the photo of Barbara Land's cat Mindy, now living in Vermont, was so close to life-sized.  Even though it's a bit dark, I'm glad I captured Clawdia's confusion about that cat who suddenly appeared in our apartment.  Actually, she appeared right in front of Clawdia's face.  How odd!  She studied the other cat's eyes for what seemed like a long time, but the cat never moved.  Not even her eyes moved, and Clawdia lost interest.

Caturday ~ Mindy's progress in Vermont

 Is she getting brave?

Or just hungry and thirsty?

Remembering Barbara

Barbara Hyman Land

April 13, 1947 — October 14, 2019

Litany of Remembrance

When I see a funny cat picture on Facebook and want to share it,
I'll remember you.
When I go out for pizza as we did the last time we had fun together,
I'll remember you.
When the elevator door opens on the seventh floor of our building,

I'll remember you.

When the friends at "our" table sit around talking after dinner,
we'll remember you.
Because you have been so much a part of our lives at the Crown Center,
we'll remember you.
So long as we live, you too shall live, for you are now a part of us,
as we remember you.
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Mindy 1-15-19

She is also greatly missed by her elderly cat Mindy, whose grief and confusion are palpable.  Mindy will be on her way to Vermont soon, going home with Barbara's beloved Rebecca and her family; their photos covered Barbara's pantry door.

Barbara's obituary can be found here.

I wrote this litany of remembrance for my friend, whose graveside service will be later today.  The poem A Litany of Remembrance by Rabbi Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer was my inspiration, and the photo at the top was taken on the day before Barbara's 72nd birthday this year.
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Mindy today (click on photo to enlarge it)

Update after the funeral:  This photo is too good not to share.  Rebecca texted it to me, saying, "Mindy decided to use the sink to hide in."  When she sent the text, they had Mindy and were almost to the arch.  Except for her nose, she blends in nicely.  I wish you well, Mindy.  Goodbye, pretty girl.  I'll miss you, too.

Happy Birthday?

Did you hear what she said?

I told her you wouldn't like it!

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Mindy Cat

Caturday ~ here's Mindy

I fed Mindy and cleaned her litter box for a few days while her person was away.  Since Barbara came home, Mindy has snuggled and kept her in sight, something Mindy didn't do before.  Maybe absence really DOES make the heart grow fonder.