Rachael's Sweet Sixteen

Rachael, my sweet baby, turned 16 today. I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is an interesting, dynamic, sensitive person, and I get to call her daughter.

Rachael had been longing for a furry buddy to keep her company in the basement ever since Emma went off to college. We decided her birthday was a good time to get her the furry buddy. Rae, Em and I went on Tuesday to check out a local shelter. They had dozens of cats and it was a little overwhelming, but we made the rounds. There was one cat named Kara in the first room, in a lower cage, with beautiful green eyes and black fur. Her tag said that she liked to snuggle and really that was the type of cat Rachael wanted. So we took her out and Kara snuggled up tight to Rae's neck and kept rubbing against her. Everything about this kitty felt right. We filled out our application and made a deposit and scheduled to pick her up 2 days later, Rae's birthday. The next big decision was the new name.

On the morning of her birthday we all went to the movies. I saw Moana with Bridget and Hanna, while Jim took the big girls to see Rouge One. Afterward we went to a birthday lunch at Applebees and stopped over at PetSmart to pick up supplies. The shelter didn't open until 5 so we hung out at home for a while, Rachael opened her cards and a few gifts, then she and I drove back out to Small Miracles Rescue. It was a very quick transaction, but we did get to talk to the woman who had fostered the kitty. Rae was just longing to hold her but they loaded her in the carrier and we were off before we knew it.

Rachael sat in the back seat and talked to her new kitty all the way. Rachael cried very happy tears and said it was a lot to get something that you had hoped for so much. I ran into Baskin Robbins to get the sherbet and then we went back home. Rachael took her kitty to her room, where we plan to let her get acclimated prior to introducing her to Cobh and the rest of the house in a few days.

Kitty did so well and was so relaxed, eating and purring that we all got time to hang out with her. After everyone had turns we shared sherbet together before Rachael went back downstairs again. Rachael was torn on the name, She liked Leia and she liked Luna. So Rae has decided to call her Leia Luna.  These 2 have become fast friends.

Happy 16th Birthday!

Love and Prayers,

Momma