We live just a few doors down from the neighborhood public elementary school. That building was graced (hah!) with the presence of all four of my children over the years. “Field Day” is held toward the end of every school year. Today the school kids celebrated Field Day. Today, our family celebrates Chandler Day.
Eight years ago, my son headed out the door with anticipation for Field Day. He no sooner left, than he was back in the house. “Mom, you have to come see this!” I followed him out to our front yard, where he pointed to an orange blob (I didn’t have my glasses on) in a v-shaped joint of an evergreen tree. It turned out to be a tiny kitten – stuck there.
Mike was not about to go off to school until I reassured him I’d take the kitten in and care for it. I was not about to take the kitten in until he reassured me he’d ask around at school for whoever was missing an adorable orange kitten. Deal struck.
Long story short, we never found anyone missing an orange kitten. We ended up assuming the poor thing had been dumped, plopped in our tree, either because it’s right at an intersection for large exposure – or because someone knew my neighbors were active in a pet rescue.
Knowing Chandler as we now do, he probably put himself there. He’s always had a penchant for climbing – and an aversion to getting back down.
So today we thank whoever originally cared for him, and Fate or whoever decided he should be found in our tree – and celebrate the love and joy Chandler has brought into our family and our lives. He helped fill the void in our hearts left after we’d said goodbye to Bubba; and he’s been “Big Daddy” to countless foster kittens here.
The Zen Man has shown us you just never know what turn your life is going to take, as you step out the door each morning! Love you to pieces, Chandler! xo
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| Becky painted Chandler |
It seems like they just know who will take them in. I have five that found their way to my house.
They really do – it’s some kind of sixth sense!
Happy Chandler Day! He’s beautiful and sounds like a great cat!
Thanks! He is, he truly is 🙂
I think Chandler knew exactly what he was doing.
Ha! I think you may be on to something there…
I just loved field day as a kid. But I would have loved to celebrate “Chandler Day” instead. What a nice “gotcha” story.
Thanks, Pamela. It sure is one Field Day my son will never forget!
What a lovely story about a gorgeous kitty. And what a stunning painting!
Chandler says “Thank You”. He loves it when I call him “My beautiful boy”. I agree with you about the painting – Becky’s very talented, and obviously was very inspired on that one!
Aw, such a sweet story! I hope you had a wonderful Chandler Day. 🙂
Awwwe, you just have to love that face! It’s so funny that you wrote about this, because the other night I dreamed that I found an orange kitten that had been abandoned and I was planning to adopt him. All through the dream I kept thinking, “Rod is going to kill me. We’re both so allergic to cats!” Sometimes they show up in your life, and when you look back you know it’s because it was the perfect place for them to be.
That’s a beautiful story and Chandler is a lucky cat! I love the photo of him in the crook of your daughter’s arms. It is priceless!
I’m late in wishing, but Happy Gotcha Day Chandler!