I haven’t been able to come back to my blog for some time, so I’m writing this much later than I normally would.
Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our beautiful cat after 19 wonderful years together. She was just days away from her 19th birthday and it has been such a heartbreaking time. We knew this moment would come eventually – not only because of her age, but also because she had developed hyperthyroidism – yet nothing truly prepares you for that loss.
She had been by my side for so many years and was such a loving girl. I feel incredibly grateful that I was able to spend those years caring for her and keeping her safe, loved and happy.
Our intention for January was to keep things fairly relaxed. We have a busy second half of the year ahead, and I wanted to use this time to mentally and physically prepare for it.
We started the month with a trip to see Swan Lake again, this time the full-length performance rather than the shortened child-friendly version I previously took the twins to see. They would love to visit the Royal Opera House one day, although tickets are quite pricey. One day though, I’ll make it happen for us.
Between countryside walks, shopping trips, and time with family and friends, I’ve also been getting organised with different aspects of life, which I’ve really been enjoying. I’ve sold more personal items on eBay, which has been instrumental in my ongoing decluttering mission.
Decluttering is something I try to stay on top of daily. When we bring something new into the house, we think carefully about what we might remove in its place. It’s helped curb unnecessary spending and shifted our focus towards appreciating what we already have.
Health has also been a big focus for us. We’ve spent time defining the goals we want to reach and the habits, actions and products that will help us get there.
Sadly, the month ended with one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make — saying goodbye to our darling girl. We stayed with her until the very end and honoured her in the best way we could. She was individually cremated, and we kept her paw print and fur trimmings. She now rests inside a beautiful wooden sleeping cat beside a wooden frame filled with photos of her.
Despite the heartbreak, I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support from friends, family and colleagues. I felt truly supported during such a difficult time, and for that I feel very blessed.
