We just launched our latest collaborative book, 365 Soulful Messages: The Right Guidance at the Right Time, so I’ve been swimming in a sea of powerful messages, amazing stories, and soulful authors.
I’m so grateful to everyone who came together to make this book (the fifth and final volume of our 365 Book Series) so special, making it a #1 bestseller, and letting me share these life-changing experiences.
Although all of this book’s stories and messages are ultimately uplifting and inspiring, many of them grew out of difficult situations. This was the case with the story I contributed, which I’d like to share with you here:
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On April 26, 2011, we found Elsie in a vacant lot near our house. After Jodi lured her over with a can of cat food, our new friend was more than happy to be carried home. A trip to the vet revealed that she had been spayed and seemed young (about one year old), healthy, and well cared for – so we were surprised that no one responded to the “Found Cat” posters we put up around the neighborhood and online.
Our tabby “foundling” quickly became an integral part of our family – a daughter, a friend, and also a teacher who modeled how to live with joy, love, and appreciation. She took pleasure in every little thing: a soft bed, a cardboard box to sit on (or in), a patch of sunlight (which she always managed to find), a few minutes of playing with a toy, and (as we already knew) a plate of canned food. Most of all, she seemed to appreciate just being around us. Because she followed Jodi wherever she went, we called her “Mama’s little duckling.”
She and I also developed a special bond. She loved sitting on my lap and kneading my stomach as I read, lying in my fuzzy guitar case as I played, and connecting each morning during our “sunshine perch” ritual, when I’d put her on top of her kitty condo, rub our heads together, and tell her how much I love her.
Sadly, on February 10, 2019, she suffered a massive stroke and passed away shortly thereafter – with Jodi and I petting her head and telling her how much we love her…forever.
Shocked and devastated, we wanted to hold on to our memories of her, which we decided to write down. We had many notebooks (which we use in our business), so we got to take our pick from a number of possibilities. We considered one that was covered in hearts (fitting because of how much we love her) and one with a butterfly on the front (also fitting, albeit bittersweet, given her recent transition). But the one we decided to use felt just right because of the three simple words on the cover, which perfectly encapsulate Elsie’s ongoing message for us: “Enjoy every moment.”
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P.S. If you’d like to read 364 other stories of loving guidance, soulful signs, and inspiring messages, please visit www.365soulfulmessages.com to learn all about our new book and the 35+ bonus gifts you’ll receive if you order now (meditations, ebooks, videos, and more – all contributed by the co-authors).
Also, if you’d like to read more by authors on our blog tour, you can check out these posts from yesterday and today (and come back tomorrow for the ones scheduled for 11/21):
- Jodi Chapman – http://www.jodichapman.com
- Mimi Quick – http://www.mimiquick.com
- Lore Raymond – www.LoreRaymond.com
- Chanin Zellner – www.thelightvessel.com
- Mohamed Rachadi – www.morachadi.com
- Debbie Labinski – www.debbielabinski.com
- Joy Resor – https://joyonyourshoulders.com
- Melissa Monroe – www.melissa-monroe.com
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I hope you’ll order the book for yourself and/or others (it makes a great holiday gift!) — and, above all, that you’ll feel uplifted, inspired, and on the lookout for the soulful messages in your own life!
I love and miss you, sweet girl. XOXO