Notes from a parish cat and his author Julie Mackenzie

My photo
I am Father Tom Fish, esteemed member of the religious team at Temptation of Christ Parish in the novels by author Julie Mackenzie. As to my background, I was invited into the rectory as a stray, laid on the charm, and was invited to stay, even honorarily ordained and no less spiritual than my sidekick Father Will. He dotes on me to high heaven and forgives all of my street cat proclivities, whatever the hell that means.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Yard Sale Discovery

A picture is worth a thousand words, but what if you have more than one--together?

I want to share the story behind a small, framed photo of a black and white kitty. Found at a nursing home yard sale, its owner is unknown but that doesn't make it any less of a treasure. It was special to someone.






It represented a special pet that was probably not allowed in the nursing home, or reminded its owner of better times.

We couldn't stop looking at it after its purchase. There was a nagging feeling there was more to the picture than met the eye.

I watched as we took it apart.






You could see the usual back of any photograph paper and cardboard, but we discovered more






Now, we'll turn over the old Christmas card






So, you never know what personal lives you'll discover when you pick up an item at a garage or yard sale. They sometimes are all that is left of memories, of a special kitty, and smiles gone by.





--Tom

38 comments:

Whisppy said...

How beautiful...That cat was probably a cherished member of the family...and I love the way it's looking straight into the camera.

Marg said...

What a nice discovery. That is super. At least it is in a place where someone will keep on treasuring it. Have a great Saturday.

Hannah and Lucy said...

Was that photograph in the frame with the cat's picture? What a marvellous find.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Deb said...

It has the look of a very 'loved' cat.

Unknown said...

That is indeed a good find. Wouldn't it be a nice miracle if someone found out about it and knew about it and here it is on your blog!

RoySr said...

A wonderful thought ..... should an attempt be made to discover who and what about the picture, and family be found that did NOT know of the picture and the contents of the frame.

A really wonderful find.

Good weekend everyone. Be safe, stay warm, smile, and be happy!

Y'all come when you can.

Gattina said...

Now, that was really a surprise ! It's so sad that people who have to go into a retirement home have to leave their pets behind. In Belgium they start to change now at least for cats, because they are less noisy than a dog.

Sweet Purrfections said...

Wow! This is such a touching post. Thank you for sharing.

Truffle and Brulee

Sparkle said...

I wish I knew the story behind the kitty and her humans.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Someone would sure be happy someone is looking after their treasure!

Mariodacat said...

What a beautiful post. I'm so happy to see more and more nursing home/assisted living centers allow pets these days, Maybe one of these days they'll all allow it.

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

We agree, that was a very loved cat.

Mom wanted us to tell yoo that when her grandfather was over 100 years old, he still kept the framed photo of his cherished much loved dog ~ who had gone to the bridge many years before.
Mom's grandfather died aged 100 years and 3 months old ~ and mom likes to think he and his beloved dog are re-united again now. xx

Julia Williams said...

Wow, that is a cool story. I'm kind of drawn to the photo of the kitty. It's kind of sad, though, that someone's photo of a cherished kitty ended up at a yard sale. One has to wonder why no one in the family wanted that photo!! It would break my heart if there wasn't one person in my family who didn't want to keep my framed photo of Annabelle, Mickey or Rocky. Maybe I'm over thinking it, MOL. I guess you never really know what the backstory is.

The Daily Pip said...

Oh, that's so sweet and sad at the same time! What a special find.

Your pal, Pip

Fr. Tom Fish said...

So many of you have taken such thoughtful paths prompted by this post. We wish we knew the backstory, too. If by chance I ever get to know it, I'll be sure to share. They have recently refurbished the nursing home and I think it's under new ownership, but this is a small town, so you never know.

The kitty is now sitting on our desk, keeping an eye on things.

Tom & Julie

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

That is a bittersweet story. I wonder if the cat was given to a family member if the lady had to go to a nursing home. I hope so. We see so many cats and dogs turned in to AC because no one wants them after their owner is no longer to care for them.

We hope the pretty kittycat had a happy ending and thank you for caring enough to by his/her photo!

Happy Saturday!
~ Noah

Katnip Lounge said...

Kitty moved me to tears...this find was priceless.

Layla Morgan Wilde ( Cat Wisdom 101) said...

After a heart squeeze and a tear, this got our writer brain juices going. A story within a story. That pic is more than 1000 words. Nursing homes are chock-full of stories. The rescue group I volunteer with always has cats from guardians who have died or gone to nursing homes.

Jans Funny Farm said...

You're right. Obviously a precious memory for someone.

The Island Cats said...

What an interesting but somewhat bittersweet find! Don't you wish you knew the whole story?

Cathy Keisha said...

Now you have a picture of the cat and a woman who might have been the owner. how cool.

Unknown said...

Dear Tom,
These kinds of things happen to special people for a reason. Perhaps yours is to create a new story from whats yous found. Or find out the story behind that beautiful cat.
Kisses
Nellie

Alex aus dem Gwundergarten said...

What a lovely post! And the kitty must have been a lovely one... but I really had to laugh out loud, seeing the photo of Mittens in your last post! What a mimic! Wonderful.
Take care and have a wonderful 1st advent.
Alex

Shaggy and Scout said...

Whoever the owner was, we know that he/she would be so grateful for what you have done. Beautiful cat, looking right at the camera. Too bad his name wasn't written on the back.
Blessed Advent to all of you!

Oskar said...

Finds like these are such treasures.

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

Mr Puddy said...

Beautiful Treasures Tom !!!
and it touched me and my mom heart.
Thanks for sharing : )
xoxo

Jackie said...

If only more nursing homes would realise how special kitties are, they bring such love, comfort and happiness to their pet people. I would not wish to go into a home that didn't allow pets, but I worry about leaving them behind with no one to care for them.

It is lovely that you have kept the photo of the kitty and his/her person. It is sad to see how many family photos end up in sales.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Mom said that will be her one day.
She has so many photos of us all over the house, she knows non-cat people do not understand.

That kitty was very special to those people and it touched us...

purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

Such a touching post and a little look see into the lives of someone that was once young.

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

Need you to email the mom here as she is trying to send you your badge for the Tabby cat club. The email address you sent things in is bouncing back to me. Hellllllllllpppppp!

Avalon's Garden and Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats said...

Awwww,it make da mom leaky eyez ~ She can't bear da thoughtz of being seperated.... Sad~
What a Beautiful kitty, maybe dey together at da Bridge...... ^..^

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

What a furry cool discovery!

Tamago said...

Oh it's very touching. I love the kitty in the photo frame...this kitty must be loved so much. And what great discovery! These photos made me smile, too :-)

Admiral Hestorb said...

I love what the Cottage Cats said..maybe they are together at the Bridge. You know, it can happen in a twinkling...you or your loved one or loved furbaby are gere and then, one of you no longer is. Treasure EVERY single moment and be grateful for ALL of your blessings and gifts given to you, both Spiritual and wordly. Make your time here on earth count. Make someone better for your having lived.

meowmeowmans said...

That is so beautiful, Tom and Julie. We, too, hope that the human and kitty are together at the Bridge.

Debra Taylor said...

What a great discovery! I would have had fun with this too if I had found it. Life can be so exciting with this sort of adventurous find.


For those reading this, check out my cat blog archives for some informative posts and archived stories about the cat abandoned/feral colony I manage.
http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/
Debby in Arizona

Everycat said...

Sometimes treasure is found in the most unlikely place. This is real treasure. Memories that might have been lost, found and precious once more.

Oliver & Gerry

ZOOLATRY said...

Wow. How very special.