I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want.

(And, believe it or not, I don’t wanna really really really wanna zigazig ah. Not today, anyway.)

I want to make you smile. And I will succeed - or, more accurately, Paprika will.

The biggest and tortiest of the Spice Girls (the others being Zedoary, Anise, and Juniper) has been in her forever home for an amazing year. From September to September, a whole lot of love has been growing Chez Paprika.

But don’t just take it from me - let Mike and Ginger (awesome spice-coincidence duly noted) spice up your life. Take it away, Mr. and Mrs. Paprika:

Thank you so much for your delightful note on the one year anniversary of our welcoming Paprika into our home forever. She has been and still is our wonder-kitty, our love-bug and our joy. Even her “sister”, Lucy, loves her. In fact, Lucy had been struggling with depression upon the loss of her natural sister, Misty, in July of last year, but within a few days of Paprika joining our family, Lucy showed signs of recovery, and is now her happy self again. She loves to sit in the rocking chair of our den, while Paprika sleeps on the daybed in the same room….almost as if Lucy were watching over Paprika as she sleeps. It is adorable to see. Unfortunately, because of the placement of the furniture, we can’t get a picture of them….

I did, however, include a picture of Paprika in one of her other favorite places - our large bay window, which looks out over some bushes, through the pine tree, to the street. The window can be cracked open or closed, makes no difference - she loves to lie there and watch the world go by. She also enjoys the cat perch on our enclosed porch out back - I think it reminds her of the play run at Tabby’s Place!

She is a happy girl, and we are a happier family with her as a part of it. When the time comes for Lucy to leave us for heaven, we will be back to see you for a new friend to join us for a lifetime of love. Lucy is 11 1/2, which is a sort of middle old age, but as her sister only lived to 10, we don’t know how much longer we can expect her to be with us. However we are treasuring every moment, even as we look forward to many more years with Paprika.

We also always keep Tabby’s Place - both its humans and its kitties - in our daily prayers. May you be blessed with many, many more years of service to those who need your help.

All I can add to that is “Amen.”

But Paprika is a plus-sized love bug, so it’s only right that her triumphant reappearance here be super-sized with sweetness. When I e-mailed Ginger to ask if we might use her e-mail and photos of Paprika, she had even more goodness to share:

We indeed are the ones who are blessed by having our precious Paprika! She also lifted our saddened hearts at Misty’s passing, although of course as humans we understood what had happened, and know that one day we will see her again. So she blessed everyone, and of course another kitty was saved and able to take Paprika’s place at Tabby’s Place! The thought of another cat rescued also brings great joy to our hearts.

You and all the wonderful people of Tabby’s Place are in our daily prayers, that God will continue to bless each one of you personally as well as the wonderful work you do for His special creatures - our beloved cats! And we offer praise that Jonathan indeed followed God’s light to this special ministry.

Somehow, even “thank God” doesn’t suffice in response to all of this. So, Mike, Ginger, Paprika and Lucy, I will simply join you in offering praise - grateful, gleeful, spicy praise - for the spicy cat who found the home she was born for. You are the living, loving answers to all her prayers.

Tags: anise, juniper, paprika, spice girls, zedoary

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