Pausing the Journey: Honoring a Gentle Soul
As we’ve been walking down memory lane, reliving the stories and skies from the world’s first aeronautical book tour, life has gently—and heartbreakingly—called us back down to earth.
Today, we’re taking a brief hiatus. I wanted to keep writing and posting, but the truth is I'm just too damn sad.
Fifteen and a half years ago, when Tucker was just a year old, Stilly came into our lives. In an unspoken bond written in the stars, they even shared the same birthday.
I'll never forget the panic I felt when my one year old son reached his tiny human hand into the cage at the Shelter and I panicked, afraid the cat would claw him...
but "Moonshine Still" as the cage read didn't bite or bat, instead he started purring and rubbing his chin against Tucker's tiny hands. He picked us. And I'll forever be grateful for that.
He got the name Moonshine Still because of the sliver of white "moon" patch on his back. Tucker called him Stilly.
For over a decade and a half, Stilly loved his boy over everything else in this world. He was the kind of soul who wanted nothing more than to curl up under the covers, nestled close, keeping quiet watch over his favorite human.
Now, our sweet boy is preparing to cross the rainbow bridge.
Someone once told me that animals arrive on this earth already knowing how to love unconditionally. Because of that pure, boundless grace, they can’t spend an entire human lifetime here—their gentle hearts simply couldn’t handle bearing so much love for that long.
Right now, my mama heart is processing grief in ways I didn’t know were possible.
Watching the passage of time through the little boy who grew up alongside his shadow of a companion is tender, heavy, and profound.
Hearing of how he speaks of favorite memories of Stilly today, and his fears for tomorrow...when he's not tripping over Stilly in the sunny spot on the landing, or in the kitchen begging for treats- has me finding it hard to get a full breath.
So many of you over the years have seen Stilly in the background of our therapy sessions, perched behind my head, or clawing his way up my chest for love, and I've enjoyed watching your furbabies too ...being so intuned to our emotions and wanting to soothe in all the ways - truly we don't deserve them.
Today, I need to step back to calm my heart, rest my spirit, and pour all our presence into helping Stilly cross with peace, dignity, and endless love, and being the best support mom I can for my lil dude, who is losing a lifetime best friend...who through all the changes we've had, has always been there for a chin scritch, a paw hold and a loving purr.
Thank you for holding space for our family. We’ll meet you back in the skies soon.
