The Story of Sunny

We struggled with how to tell Ben about Greg's death.  The right place.  The right words.  The gentlest way to break the news.  

We ended up taking him for a walk, sitting him down and telling him that Granddaddy had passed away.  He wanted to know why Granddaddy had to die, why his life was so short and most importantly, how were they supposed to play basketball and watch TV together?

Christmas 2011

Watching Ben process the news - broke. our. hearts.  He was brave, he cried when he needed to, wrote a message he wanted read at the funeral but firmly told us he did not want to be there.  There is quiet ache in Brannon's voice when he talks about Granddaddy to Ben.  His voice cracks and you can see how much it hurts him to watch his son hurt.

Peace.  Comfort.  Closure.

That has been my prayer for my family.

The day after the funeral we headed back to the church to wrap a few things up.   Ben kept going on about this kitten he found during 'Granddaddy's goodbye party'.  He took us to the side of the church and sure enough there was a tiny kitten that had fallen into a window well.  Ben told us over and over again that he found the kitty during the funeral.  Brannon jumped down and saved the kitten.

We took her to the SPCA and they wouldn't take her.  We took her back to Grandma Balsley's house where Ben announced, 'you can't give her away Mom, she is MINE!  Granddaddy sent her from heaven for me'

Nana told me to go grab the camera and went to get the kitten some milk.
And that is the story of our kitty.

She is an orange tabby.  The color of a sunflower.

Her name is Sunny.

And she makes us smile.

 She is sweet as pie and loves to snuggle.  I've never been a fan of cats but this kitten is something special.  And she has brought some peace and comfort to my family.

When Ben gets sad, he curls up with the kitten and talks to her.   I don't know how or why that cat was at Greg's funeral but I am so thankful for her in all her fluffy kitty loveliness.

I will leave you with a sweet picture of our Sunny girl.

 Welcome baby.  We needed you.