Reflections on the Teche

Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.

Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago

We are celebrating in Chicago with our three lovely daughters the success of daughter number three. Last night Martha was hooded in Rockefeller Chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago. She received her masters in social science administration (social work). With about 200 others, Martha walked the sacristy of the chapel to receive her hood. Martha made the decision to attend U of C because of the top level program. She worked hard for two years. She will continue this difficult work with a nonprofit known as Thresholds. She will work with mental health patients in the justice program. I admire her dedication to improving the lives of unfortunate people. Of course, as a mother, I worry. I must let go of this and allow her to move into what she was “meant to do.”

I cannot help but marvel at my daughters. How did I create such a force of three women set out to be the best they can be in a shaky world? These girls are not shaken. They are strong and determined. I celebrate them. My husband and I keep looking at each other with that look, “we did this!”

Jeff and I at Lake Michigan celebrating blue.

Last week Maggie and I rescued a kitten from our neighbor’s car. I heard the loud mew on Thursday and spent some time under the car coaxing and comforting this distraught kitten, but I could not get her to come out. On Friday morning I heard the cries again, from the same neighbor’s car. I enlisted Maggie’s help. She has scars to show for it. She reached in to the car’s hood and grabbed the kitty, hissing and thrashing. Maggie had put on gardening gloves, but parts of the car scraped her arms. Kitten saved! We set her up on a back screened porch away from the other animals.

Over the weekend, I fed her, talked to her, and eventually was able to hold her without her hissing. On Monday I took her to our vet and found out she was a healthy girl maybe 4-5 weeks old. I then set out to find her a home.

I had a lunch date with my friend Carolyn. When she arrived, I said, “I have something to show you.” Sold! Carolyn texted her daughter, and they decided to take her. Here is the happy new mama (or grandma) with the kitten. I celebrate new life, new homes, and happy mamas.

What are you celebrating this week? Blessings abound!