It’s been dismal here in the Walker-Weir household this week. As you can imagine, M and I are saddened and angered by the Friday the 13th terror attacks in Paris. I shall not participate in the debates that are already raging on social media; I simply have too much work to do. But please know that during every moment I spent covering the explosions and the shootings, the manhunt and the worldwide response, the victims and their families were always in my thoughts.
We also received the distressing news that our youngest cat Seraphina — a.k.a. Sweet Sera — has cancer. There was a lump, there was a biopsy and then there was a diagnosis that was basically a death sentence. I’m still reeling from the news as she and I are very close and I had hoped to have her in my life for many years to come. In the past, M and I have lost cats to kidney problems, liver failure and old age, but this will be the first time we’ve had to face the big C. If any of my readers have experience in dealing with this, please feel free to share your thoughts/stories/guidance.
These two experiences were amplified by what I can only describe as sudden onset, stress-induced insomnia. My thoughts simply refuse to stop whirling in my brain. And when I finally manage to reach Morpheus’ realm, the experience is not restful. I do have a vacation coming up soon; perhaps I’ll be able to decompress then.
One ray of positivity… in the midst of my sorrow, I received a kind note from a dear friend. That missive raised my spirits and talking to her on the phone boosted them even more. To pay her kindness forward, I offer this small bit of advice: If you have a friend in need, someone who’s struggling with illness, loss, financial difficulties or really anything troubling, reach out. Even the smallest gesture can make a huge difference.
