It's Not Just A Pet, It's Family

Tigger (1), Bootsie (19), Gramps (3), Pooder (17), Max (1), Outside Kitty (1), and MJ (3). These are the names of all the cats that have been a part of life. The numbers represent the amount of years we shared as family. Of these seven cats, some of them left our home as quickly as they came in, but Bootsie and Pooder were the "lifers."
Bootsie was the sister I never had. We grew up together through parts of three decades. We snuggled through the Blizzard of '78, "cried" when I lost my first and then second boyfriend in the mid-eighties, and lounged in the sun during the summer of 1990 after I graduated college. She was always there for me.
If Bootsie was my sister, then Poody was truly my first baby boy. He fit in the palm of my hand when I adopted him and he grew into a strong, fifteen pound cat. He was always so loving and cuddly. He would sense if I were sick or sad and jump up to my chest to rub my face. Every night he would sleep on or next to my pillow. He would follow me around the house or around the yard. We were connected on so many levels.
Some of the saddest moments in my life were having to say goodbye to Bootsie and Pooder because they weren't just my pets, they were my loving family members.

Mothering Without A Mother

My mother, Beverly Paulino, instilled in me the foundations of my faith, character, and genuine concern for others. I cherished her unconditional love every day of my life. She gave me strength when my own children needed boundaries. She gave me relief when I needed to take care of myself. She was my best friend with whom I shared my joys and frustrations of my marriage and my mothering. She cared for my children Monday through Friday, every week since they were each three months old. There was absolutely no way for me to fully express my gratitude for her angelic ways. On the day she died, I remember being driven to her house and all I could think was, "Why her? Why now? What am I going to do without her?" I know, how selfish of me. But honestly, it was the beginning of my realization of my role as a mother. I truly became my children's mom when I no longer could be dependent on my own mom. And now, I depend on her never-ending love to carry me through all I face as a parent. My mom is with me every day. She lives on in our traditions, recipes, and funny stories. If you can, hug or call your mom today. And after writing this, I may need a hug too!

Meet Nevante, My Second Son

My eleven year old believes it is only fair that I introduce him for my thrid blog. I suppose I could share how I had an easy pregnancy or how his labor lasted only 45 minutes (9lbs., 9oz. and no drugs!) or how breastfeeding was a breeze. But then you would not really know Nevante. He truly is a second child. He is always trying to physically "out-do" or academically "keep-up" with his older brother. He uses his quirky sense of humor to get and keep our attention all on him. And he relentlessly barrages us with requests for anything that he wants, even though we said "no" one hundred times. He will ask again! So at 11 years old, 5 feet tall and almost 100 pounds, Nevante is my BIG baby, my shy mama's boy, and my sensitive snuggle-bunny! Find out more about your own child's characteristics as related to their BIRTH ORDER with Jack Agati on March 31, 6:30-8pm, at The Boroughs YMCA in Westborough on Rt. 20. Call me to register. IT'S FREE! Oh, and Nevante really likes vanilla milk shakes!