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A LIFE OF BEAUTY IS A LIFE IN SERVICE OF HEALING

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When Nana Mensah was sick, and after he passed, I listened to the song "by this river" by Brian Eno over and over. Now, when I hear that quiet song, it wraps me in tender memories and gentle loving misery. With Hobo, it is an entire album: "Ghosteen" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I feel seen and heard by this haunting record, which was written and recorded after he had lost his teenage son. I will forever and always link Hobie's last weeks with this beautiful collection. #ghosteen #bythisriver #mourningmusic

Hobo passed away about an hour ago, on his own. True to his nature he did it on his terms. I have never known a smarter, cooler, more independent and groovy cat in my life. He was more of a person than an animal to me and I know that he touched a lot of people deep in their core with his infectious personality. Thank you all for allowing me to grieve in this forum. It gave me strength and made me feel connected to you, to a community of people who love and care. This photo was taken moments before he took his last breath. #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat

Thank you to those who offered condolences and advice. Your personal stories about your own journeys really helped me. The look in his eyes today tells us that he is done. This is our last day, we have scheduled his passing for this evening. My heart is broken. But it feels like the right thing to do. It is the merciful thing. #hobiethehobocat #hobiethetripawdcat 💔

Still here. ❤️ #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat #tuulithebabykittykat

We took him to the abandoned yard down the street, which we call kitty korner, and he perked up significantly. I called one of his favorite neighbors, @melisaspangler, who has nice long nails and he got up and walked over for scratches! Purring, even did some figure 8s around her legs. Then he hobbled about 15 feet, and snuggled down in the grass to watch for other kitties. It was magical. I'm glad that we postponed his exit. We will assess again in the morning. He also got visits from his godfather @foreveryoneseyesonly his grandma @miss_hammy and his uncle @plantjosh ❤️ It was a good day all together. #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat

Hospice is a rollercoaster. He seems better today and now I am second guessing our decision to let go so soon. How have you known with your dearly departed that it was time? I know all the metrics but it seems so individual. I am hoping he wants to stick around a bit longer but don't want to enable too much suffering. Last night I was sure. Today I am feeling it isn't quite time. ❤️ I love him so much. #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat

Hobo is making his last rounds. He has told us that it is time to go and we are honoring his choice tomorrow with an at home visit to assist his crossing the rainbow bridge. He is surrounded by loved ones and we are enveloping him in love, warmth and affection. We are heartbroken. I am devastated. Just a wreck. #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat

Still beading. This is a constant in my daily creative practice. The repetition of weaving together one bead at a time grounds me. The functionality of wearable art pleases me. Also, ❤️ triangles ❤️ #kirstingreenjewelry #kirstingreenart

He's getting chonky #tuulithebabykittykat

My mother, the quilter, taught me a saying long ago: "as you sew, so shall you rip" which is a riff on the old farming adage "as you sow, so shall you reap". I'm not sure what the stained glass version of that saying is...maybe something like "as you solder, so shall you snip." I made this entire panel the wrong size, almost 2 inches too narrow (because I am a fool who doesn't write things down in sensible places.) I had to take off the entire side and now I am cutting new pieces and re-soldering everything back together. 🤷‍♀️ #kirstingreenart

I'm cool with being that person whose IG feed is just cats. These are precious moments that I'm going to keep in my heart forever. I am utterly heartbroken to lose my Hobo so young, and Tuuli is a blessing to us all! #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat #tuulithebabykittykat

The antidote to grief is laughter and this weirdo is really good at making me do just that. #tuulithebabykittykat

Hobo update. The cancer is overtaking. Mass in abdomen. Chemo not working. We are now in the keeping him comfortable part of his journey and the doc doesn't expect him to make it much longer. 1-3 weeks. 💔 I am not ok today, but I will be ok one day. I love him so, so much. He's still eating a little, and interacting with us, and we are going to make him feel as special and beloved as he is. #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat

Woke up in a cuddle puddle! 😻 #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat #tuulithebabykittykat

Taking a drink at the fountain #hobiethetripawdcat #hobiethehobocat

Who doesn't love a fluffy duvet? #tuulithebabykittykat

Happy Valentine's day!

I am pretty obsessed with vegetarian muffuletta sandwiches right now. The combination of spices in the olive salad, the soft bread that soaks up all the juices, and the thin layers of roasted veggies between sliced provolone all make for a fantastic, special, kind of pricey sandwich that tastes extra super wonderful, and deceivingly meaty. I used the salad recipe from food 52 for the vegetarian muffaletta, a random muffaletta bread dough recipe for the bread and everything else I just improvised. If you use vegan cheese, this is easily veganized. This sandwich goes to 11. #veggiemuffuletta

KIRSTIN GREEN, Blog at WordPress.com.