Going Forward
Mom’s house in Juneau is on a very steep hill, perhaps the steepest in a very hilly city. From the street to her apartment, which is built on the side of a mountain, is a very steep set of stairs. Within her apartment is another steep set of stairs, with the kitchen and living room on one floor, and the bathroom and bedroom on another floor. Add these stairs to arteries that are very blocked up, and icy, icy conditions outside, and it’s a recipe for disaster. And certainly no place for a person to rehabilitate after heart bypass surgery. Since mom is out of work at the moment, she’s re-evaluating her situation, and has decided that the Alaskan life really isn’t the best for her anymore.
So…after the surgery, after whatever rehab has to happen in the hospital, after she’s up and around a bit again, she’s moving to California. She’s going to move in with my Grandma and my Great Aunt. This will mean many wonderful things, like having my mom just an hour + away from me, rather than far away with plane rides and hotels involved in a visit. But it will mean hard things, especially on her side. It will mean leaving Juneau, without saying goodbye to her many wonderful friends there. It will mean finding a new home for her cats, who she loves so very dearly, but who are too much for Grandma and Auntie to take on. That’s the thing that’s hardest on Mom, I think, is leaving the boys, without even saying goodbye. I told her that they will be OK. Genevieve had two owners before us…two good, loving owners, who took the trouble when they couldn’t care for her anymore to make sure she was well loved and cared for.  And Gen loved them, and missed them, and at the same time, she adjusted, and adapted, and attached to us, and became our doggy. Mom’s cats will miss her terribly. They will wonder where she is, and what happened, and yet, they will adjust and adapt and attach to their next home. But it will still be very, very sad.
I’m not sure what all of the implications are yet, but thus far, the cats are the most painful for her. They are what brings tears to her eyes. She can write to her friends, talk to them on the phone or via email, but the cats will never understand what has happened to them, or to her.
10 Comments
Jimmy
I’m glad your mom decided to move closer to the family, and oh so sad for the kitties! That would be most painful for me too!
Linda Atkins
Geeze, I’m sorry about the kitties. That is terribly sad. Please give your mother a big hug from me. I’m glad she’ll be much, much closer! (And I will picture the boys in a loving new home where they are adored and receive excellent care; I’m sure that will be the case.) (Again, we would be going crazy without your updates, so thank you for keeping us posted in this terrible time.)
C
J, that’s great news that your mom will be living closer to you! Moving and leaving all that has become ‘home’ is always difficult. Sometimes the best decisions at the time are the hardest decisions to make.
It is very sad that she has to leave behind her cats. Some may not think it is a big deal, but pets are like part of the family and they really love their humans 🙂 I can only imagine how painful that would be.
I am really happy that she will be living closer to you, Py and Maya though! That is really good news!
Starshine
That will be such a sad thing for your Mom to grieve, but I’m glad she’ll be able to recuperate close to you and other family. Maybe after she gets well, she can go back up to Juneau to visit her friends and say goodbye to her kitties.
Love and hugs,
Tracy
lilalia
Glad to hear your mom made it through the surgery. Please give her my best wishes for a full recovery, even though she doesn’t know who I am. I’ve been reading both yours and her blog for a while now and very much enjoy them.
May she find a way of sending herself off into this new life of hers without too many regrets and a lot to look forward to.
J
Thanks Lilalia, but the surgery hasn’t happened yet. We’re hoping it will be Monday, but that depends on what the doctors say. I’ll keep everyone posted.
Cherry
I am in tears. I can not comprehend the amount of pain your mom must feel to leave her boys. (seriously… tears are streaming). You know I love my boys dearly and the thought of having to leave and never see them again breaks my heart, and it is tearing at the thought of your mom’s own pain for her boys.
I know it will do nothing to ease her pain, but please give her a big hug from me. I am sure your brother, SIL and her friends will be able to find wonderful homes for her boys.
CuriosityKiller
Oh goodness, it’s great that your mom’s moving to California! The weather and family nearby would only help her in her recovery. That’s GREAT.
But the cats, sigh… I’ve never had a cat for more than a week (I bought a cat for my friend’s birthday), and I know how cats get very personal if they’re left with not-as-loving owners. It does take a lot of time, and sensitivity to find the right people. I’m sure you and your mom’s people will find the right homes.
Thinking of you and your mom.
ML
It would break my heart to leave my critters behind! Honestly, what a tough, huge decision for your Mom to make. However, it is all in her best interest for her health and it’s a huge plus to be near her family.
Autumn's Mom
Ugh…pass the kleenex Cherry. I’m so happy though, that your mom will be moving to CA and get to see Maya grow up. Cause at the end of the day, that is what’s important in life. Although, man, I know she loves those furballs.
hugs and kisses J