
Yuki Love.
This is Yuki – the cat who chose to love me. What we know of his kittenhood is patchy – it wasn’t easy. He was seen with different injuries while he was still young, and the way he loves to lie in front of the woodstove or cuddle in beds makes me think he still has vivid memories of being cold…
And somehow, despite everything, Yuki knows how to love. He loves people… he is on “bathing-each-other-and-sleeping-together” terms with almost every other cat in the house (all 4 with very different personalities)… and he is a willing playmate. He’s also brilliant, which means he finds ways to entertain himself that are not always appreciated by his human housemates. 😉 (Though I have a thing for brilliance wherever it is found – I am smitten with him – the fact that he has seafoam-green eyes and a beautiful marbled coat is just icing on the cake. 😊) Somehow, he knew I was in need of his love, too. Everyone needs to know love like Yuki Love – no strings attached, no judgment calls, no expectations. Just love.

Work has been heavy recently – the mission of Hopewell House is beautiful, and I still can’t believe I get to be part of this team that is striving to help people “live well while dying”… but it is hard to carry so much grief and suffering… hard to carry the constant reminders that “bad things” don’t happen to “bad people” – you can’t be “good enough” to avoid suffering. Suffering happens. It is part of this human existence.
Even on the days we aren’t scheduled to work, our hearts are usually at The House anyway… bearing witness to the journeys of these people who become so dear to us so quickly. What we do there is very much like Yuki Love. Once you come in our doors, we will love you to your last breath and beyond – we will love your loved ones… we will come alongside you and ease your journey. There are no judgments, no strings attached, no expectations… you are loved exactly as you are – with the fierceness of a mama bear. These women on our care team know how to love without limit… I am in awe of them – together we will sing your spirit home.
I’m sending Yuki Love to you all – spread it around, Dear Ones… we need it.