I had to write my annual poem
   As 2009 comes to an end
I am full of love and gratitude
   That to all of you I had to send.

Jake is now three years old
   He is friendly and such a little man
He is very tall with a head full of curls
   He speaks Spanish, sings songs, and is Mommy’s biggest fan.

Stephanie is a full-time student now
   And I can’t believe that Hailey has turned ten
I lost both Shakespeare and Spencer
   I sure miss my sweet, furry friends.

My family is happy and healthy
   A great-nephew named Luke Ryan arrived
I’m available to consult about real estate
   I still eat Mila each day to feel healthy and alive.

I created Gratitude Boot Camp
   Where I coach about counting your blessings
There is a Gratitude Boot Camp fan page on Facebook
   I can’t wait to see what miracles GBC brings.

I’m the Leader in Orlando and Celebration
   For a wonderful organization
Women’s Prosperity Network
   Is expanding throughout the Nation.

I’ve created a mantra for the New Year
   Let’s all say it together
Stand tall, Smile, and Shout Out Loud
   “2010 is my best year EVER”!

           HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Unconditional Love is a love this is not limited by any conditions or in any way at all.  It is Absolute.  It is True.  And…it sure makes you happy when you give or receive it, doesn’t it? 

For 13 years, I received the Unconditional Love of two very sweet animals…Shakespeare & Spencer…my precious persian cats.  Because I lost both of them this year, I am writing this article about them.  They truly did give me their Unconditional Love every day. 

I grew up with dogs as family pets.  We never had a cat.  And…until I was 36 years of age, I never had a pet in my adult life (except for fish in an aquarium).  I told myself that I was not going to have any pets.  And, I certainly did not see myself with a cat.  One day, I was on an appointment to place a house on the market for sale.  As we were sitting at the kitchen table going over the required paperwork, a Mother Cat came walking out of the laundry room with two little tiny baby kittens trailing behind.   One of the kittens walked right up to me so I had to pick him up to pet him!  He was the cutest thing I had ever seen, especially when he snuggled up tightly on my chest.  The owner of the home told me that she was selling the kittens and that they were peke-faced Persians.  The one that I was holding onto had a crooked tail, so he would never be able to be a “show cat”, I was told.  I said good-bye and left there with no intention other than selling the home as quickly as possible.  But…for the next few days, I could not get that kitty with the crooked tail out of my head.  He was the first thing that I thought of when I woke up each morning. 

So…I found myself driving back to my listing with a check in hand…to buy the kitty with the crooked tail.  I named him Shakespeare.  He was 3 months old.  He followed me every where I went and he slept at the foot of the bed, touching my feet.  Because I had never had a cat before, I bought a book that would tell me everything that I ever wanted or needed to know about having a cat as a pet.  It said that cats need the companionship of other cats, especially if you are not often home. 

When I had called the owner just to inquire whether or not she still had the other kitty (because I wasn’t sure that I wanted two), she said “I can’t believe you called me today!  We just found out that the people who had taken that kitty are abusing him.  So, we rescued him but now we are leaving for vacation and weren’t sure what to do with him.”

So…I found myself driving back to my listing with a check in hand…to buy Shakespeare’s brother.  I named him Spencer.  He was all matted and dirty and very clingy.  I just knew that seeing his brother again would cheer him right up.  Boy, was I wrong!!!  For three weeks, the two hissed at each other and steered clear of the other’s path.  I would cry “But, you’re brothers!  You’re supposed to love each other!”  And…I would call my girlfriends saying “What have I done?  They hate each other!”  One day, I came home and found the two of them licking each other!  From that day on, they were best buddies.  We were a happy, little family.

Over the next 13 years, they were with me through three moves, four company changes, three relationship break-ups, and the birth of a baby.  And…they always loved me Unconditionally.  Shakespeare always slept at the foot of my bed, touching my feet.  And…Spencer and I cuddled on the couch for the last hour of every night before I’d go to bed.  They were not your typical cats…they were very friendly.  If there were people around, they were right there!  And, Spencer would even play catch with a toy mouse!! 

They both died from a fast growing tumor in their mouth.  So, they did not suffer for a long amount of time.  It broke my heart to say good-bye to them on their final day.  And…it is very strange to not have them here.  I still find myself looking around for them sometimes and making sure I close the door so they don’t get out!

I am very thankful that I got to experience their Unconditional Love.  I will carry that lesson with me the next time I am in a relationship.  And…who knows?  Maybe there is another furry baby in my future.  For right now, though, I am content to remember the purrs and meows of my precious Persians, Shakespeare & Spencer.

In Memory Of…

Shakespeare – 8/9/96 ~ 5/21/09 ~and~ Spencer – 8/9/96 ~ 10/29/09