Remember the old game “Two Truths and a Lie?” The goal is to make three plausible statements and stump your friends as to which one isn’t quite true.
Let’s play.
1) Fribble was adopted.
2) Fribble has an awesome new family.
3) The human beans of Tabby’s Place are totally, unreservedly happy about this.
OK, none of these statements is a lie…not exactly. Yes, super-sweetheart Fribble was scooped up. Yes, her new family is totally tubular. And, yes, we are all super-duper happy about this.
Really. We’re smiling. What do you mean this doesn’t look like a smile?
Sigh. Good goodbyes are great…and they are also el stinko. How can it be otherwise? Congratulations! We tell the beloved cat’s new family. We’re so happy for you and Fribble! We’re so happy that you’re taking the cat we rescued and loved and smooshed and cared for as our own - taking her away forever, where she will promptly forget us even though we’ll never forget her. So happy we could spit rainbows and ride unicorns right through the lobby!
So. Happy.
But at the same time, we are - and I am - genuinely happy. So happy, in fact, that we keep doing this: keep loving cats and letting them go, keep pouring our best into creatures not meant to be ours, keep blinking into the eyes that will only have eyes for their forever families.
It’s ultimately not about us.
If all Tabby’s Place does is serve as the “way station” between fear and forever home, it’s enough.
If all we are is an outpost of compassion, we have the highest calling on the planet.
And if all we get to do is prepare the way of lasting love, we are the luckiest heralds in Who-ville.
And so, although we’re not the final stop for most of the little ones we love, we’ll go on loving each one with all our might. The Fribbles and Floras and Brandos will keep making us cry. But much more than that, this mission will make us whole, will give us hearts full-to-bursting with the charge we have to keep.
Fribble is impressed with my deep thoughts.
We are the channel. We are the instruments, the pencil in a greater Hand. We mess up and bumble around and fall over ourselves in the ways human beans do…but, still, we get to keep on loving and letting go and loving again.
I miss you, Fribble - but I’m happy. And that’s the truth.
Tags: adoption, deep thoughts, fribble
Awww!!! I don’t think Fribble will ever forget her time at Tabby’s Place and the wonderful people who rescued her!!!
“It’s ultimately not about us.” I totally understand! That’s what it comes down to, the cats. That’s why we do it, volunteer, adopt, donate, sponsor and just help out in spirit when we cannot physically. Its for a greater good. (Even though, I can’t help but feel like I’m a better person for doing what I do. When I leave Tabby’s Place on Sundays after volunteering, I’m happy and feel like I’ve accomplished something.)
Much love to Fribbles and her family! May we hear many wonderful stories about her!
She’s beautiful, she’s friendly, and she mothered motherless kittens too. Just a really special little cat.
this cat is just so…darn…cute!
I’m completely jealous of the family who got to take lovely Fribble home. It was so easy to become smitten with this sweet girl!
Aawwww…Angela. I know it must be hard to say “goodbye” to the kitties, even if it’s when they find a home and family. You guys rule for caring.