{In case you don't remember the Cat Lady, you can go here to get the history.}
Well today, my friends, I met the Cat Lady.
I had just put Aubrey down for a nap and decided to pop outside to our mailbox. As I was halfway down our driveway, there she was.
Now, I had just written the post about Tomorrowland and felt compelled to make an effort to at least exchange "hellos" with one of my neighbors. But what do you say to the Cat Lady?
Well, I said the only thing I could think of, "You sure have a beautiful cat!"
"Yes, yes, sank you...sank you."
No way. I know that accent.
The Cat Lady started walking toward me, cat in arms.
I reached my hand out to pet the furry feline.
"His name is Regi. It's short for red in Russian. I am from Russia, well, Ukraine, actually. Kiev." she said in wonderfully broken English.
{As many of you know, a couple of summers ago while we were living in Birmingham, I helped with an organization that hosts orphans from Ukraine. I ADORE Ukrainians and Russians. Adore them.}
I know a handful of Ukrainian/Russian words. Cat and kitten happen to be two of them. When I told her my two choice words, her face completely lit up.
I told her I have a dear friend who used to live in Poltava (she is now adopted -- praise the Lord!). Again, her face just glowed as she said, "My brother lives in Poltava!"
She proceeded to tell me that this cat used to be her parents' cat and that there is another smaller kitten inside. Her parents recently died of strokes, one practically after the other, and there was no one to take care of the them. She flew to Kiev to bring the cats back with her.
My heart sank.
This incredibly sweet lady went on to open her heart to me about the struggles she’s gone through this winter. Her husband (an American) works quite a bit, and they are only staying here in Cincinnati for a short time with his job {Sounds familar, huh?}.
After her parents’ deaths, she felt so alone. She told me she’s been feeling so depressed lately, and her parents’ cats have been a great source of joy to her. They remind her of the good times she shared with them. She walks Regi as a reminder of the walks she used to take with her mother.
My heart hit bottom.
I had instant flashbacks of me sneakily peaking my camera lens through the blinds to take some pictures I so judgmentally labeled, “ridiculous.”
I felt horrible.
I proceeded to tell her how incredibly sorry I was for her loss, and that I too had struggled with loneliness this winter. I told her that my new baby girl helps to provide much needed happiness on these gloomy, rainy days that so often plague this city. She kindly invited us to stop by and visit her and her cats any time. She would love the company. I offered the same.
So there you go. That’s the Cat Lady. She’s wonderful.
Getting out of Tomorrowland has never felt better.
I'll let you know when I, along with my own little kitten, make our first visit.
