February 9th

February 9th is not my favorite date. Some dates are good dates - my wedding anniversary, my son's birthday, my parents' anniversary. February 9th is not one of those dates.

My maternal grandmother passed away on February 9, 2001. It was a sudden loss (she died from an aortic aneurysm), and I still miss her. I miss her wonderful biscuits that she made and her awesome chicken casserole. She also always carried around those little plastic rain bonnets that older ladies wear. After she passed away, my mother and I found those all over her apartment. Mom brought me one the other day. I put it in a drawer in my kitchen for "safe keeping". She also loved me and my brother so tremendously. I wish I could tell her now how much I appreciated that, even though I stunk at showing it.

We had to have our cat Tom put to sleep February 9, 2004. Tom was my husband's cat long before I was in the picture. He showed up on my husband's doorstep as a kitten with his little bottom jaw almost torn off. My father-in-law, along with my husband and his sister, took Tom to the vet hoping that the vet could save him. The vet successfully reattached Tom's bottom jaw, and he earned his place in that household. Tom lived 18 years when he unfortunately developed cancer. What's funny is that the very next day, hubby went to the pound and got a kitten who looked EXACTLY like Tom. His name is Charlie, and I have to say, he acts more like Tom each day.

Now, February 9th has another fateful meaning-it's been 1 month since hubby lost his job. Hubby is still jobless and is still desperately trying to get a job. Fortunately, we are doing better financially. For this, we are truly thankful. Maybe, we'll get good news today that will help make February 9th a little brighter.