Friday 31 August 2012

Happy Endings


I love clouds like this, wispy things like the silky fur of a dog.



Even better when a flock of starlings rush across the sky.



A couple of weeks ago Imogen lost her toy cat, Kitty. It went everywhere with her and she’s never been able to sleep without it.

When they got home after an afternoon at the allotment, she realised she hadn’t got Kitty. They went searching. They had narrowed down where she’d been lost to a very small area, but when they looked, there was no sign of her.

Imogen was heartbroken. The next morning, friends and family searched again. A photo of Kitty went up on Facebook and lots of lovely people were keeping an eye out for her, even friends from far away (thank you Suz and Julie).

Next time she came to my house, she had a rag doll under her arm where Kitty used to be and such a sad little face. Normally she bounces in, full of smiles. She’s only just five and I think when you’re that small and you lose something that has been such a huge part of your life, it is a bereavement of sorts.

Not only was a physical search going on, but also an internet one (her dad spent ages scouring the webwaves) and a few days later Imogen received a parcel.

Apparently Father Christmas was here on his holidays, soaking up some rays when he found Kitty all forlorn and lost. He picked her up and took her home, handing her to the elves who gave her a good wash and a new collar.

She was then posted home and our happy little girl was back.





Last night there was a ring around the moon. This morning it feels chilly and really autumnal. There’s a definite whiff of change in the air and much as I dislike the final quarter of the year, it felt kind of nice.


38 comments:

  1. Aww, Teresa
    That brought a tear to my eye.
    I'm so glad Imogen got Kitty back and how lovely of the Father Christmas person posting Kitty back to her.

    I love Autumn; we had a frost this morning.

    xxPat

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    1. Very lucky that Father Christmas came here for his hols, Pat ;-)

      I am freezing! Wondering whether to put the heating on! x

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  2. What a heart-warming story, Teresa - and a gorgeous photo showing just what Kitty means to one cute little girl. Love those clouds too - I was entranced by some while driving on our motorway beside the river one day and kept trying to peek at them while keeping my eyes on the road! Glad that whiff of autumn felt so nice.

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    1. I love watching clouds, Rosemary. There's one blowing past right now that looks like a tubby Buddha :-) But yes, best not watch them when you're driving! x

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  3. I loved this post, Teresa. Imogen looks such a lovely little girl and I'm really happy that Kitty came back to her.
    I love your clouds. And oddly, I've just been re-reading a story I sent off to a competition in which I mention starlings forming and re-forming in their mad groups in the sky. And I wished I'd used it as more of a symbol for the story's message. They are fascinating to watch.
    I'm pleased you enjoyed the change of air this morning. I felt it too, a sharper chill,but very nice. x

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    1. She is lovely, Joanna and she was so heartbroken. I think what made it worse is that she lost her real white cat a couple of years ago and it revived the old hurt.
      I love watching the starlings too. Good luck with your competition story :-) x

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  4. Oh I'm so happy for Imogen!

    It feels quite autumnal here too today. I like that crisp air, and the slowing pace of the garden. Not so much the darker evenings ahead, though. But I do get more writing done in the colder months, so that's a good thing.

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    1. It is weird how fast it happens isn't it, Joanne. I really don't like the dark evenings at all. The rest of my family all love it, closing the curtains, turning on the lights - they're all mad of course :-) x

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  5. Awe, that's a lovely happy ending, Teresa. I'm so glad Imogen and Kitty have been reunited. Kitty must have been very lonely too, without her best friend. I usually dread the end of summer, but once autumn actually arrive, I love it (the days anyway, not so much the dark nights).

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    1. I think that upset her more than anything, Elizabeth, the thought of poor old Kitty being lost and alone!
      I must admit, I do like some bits of autumn - woodsmoke, chestnuts, golden trees - walks in the woods without being eaten alive by bugs - I guess it's not all bad :-) x

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  6. What a touching loving story Teresa :). I simply adore the name Imogen...it reminds me of the beautiful world of Jane Austen :). Your skies are surreal.

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    1. Thank you, Unikorna - I love that name too and it suits her so well x

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  7. Santa and the elves did a fantastic job - Kitty looks almost new.

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    1. A miracle isn't it, Patsy - even her labels look brand spanking new :-) x

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  8. What a lovely, happy post ( and lovely, happy little girl)!

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    1. Thank you, Frances - she never fails to put a smile on my face x

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  9. I'm so glad kitty's back with Imogen and what a lovely photo of them both. Good old Santy!

    Debbie

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  10. That picture of little Imogen says it all. Good old Father Christmas! xx

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  11. That's a beautiful photo of Imogen. I'm so pleased she got her Kitty back.

    xx

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    1. Thanks, Suz - and thank you for reposting on FB when Kitty went missing :-) x

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  12. How cute, I know that feeling, my cat was black though, and he vanished. I found him on a jumble stall at our Christmas Fayre, and bought him back.

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    1. How amazing, Susan :-) So glad you got your black cat back :-) x

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  13. Awww!!!!! Imogen!! I am so so happy Kitty was returned to you all safe and sound!!! How lovely of Father Christmas and the Elves!! Yay!!!! Now you hang on to Kitty real tight and never let Kitty go!!

    You are both so utterly adorable! Take care
    x

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    1. I don't think Kitty's been out of her sight since her miraculous come back, Old Kitty :-) x

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  14. What a lovely true story Teresa, and one with a happy ending which I'm sure will appear in a fictional story of yours in the future. Imogen looks gorgeous too.

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    1. Yes, there's definitely story fodder there, Maggie :-) x

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  15. What a lovely uplifting post. And what a happy ending. Call me naive but I reckon most people out there are pretty fantastic - especially a certain Father Christmas eh. So happy for Imogen. And yes isn't it a beautiful name - suits a beautiful little girl :o) xx

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  16. Hi Teresa,
    Oh how I like a happy ending. This amazing story, complete with a toy cat, good old Father Christmas and the adorable Imogen, is the stuff of cute little books made into movies :)
    Give Kitty a hug from Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star. And Imogen, Penny and her human, Gary are so pleased for you and Kitty :)
    Penny and co-starring her human, Gary x

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    1. Thank you, Gary - Kitty enjoyed her hug from Penny before she was snuggled back under Imogen's arm :-) x

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  17. Oh what a lovely story with a happy ending. How kind Father Christmas was to wash poor kitty. My daughter dreads the day little Leon loses his 'bunny' and they are no longer being manufactured either or I'd buy a 'twin'. Loved the cloud photographs too :-)

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    1. I hope little Leon never loses his bunny, Deborah. It's too traumatic! x

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  18. What a lovely story, Teresa and what a lovely happy photo too! x

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  19. Oh, does this bring back memories! My daughter had a stuffed dog appropriately named "Puppy" that she took with her EVERYWHERE. She lost it once and oh my goodness...it was not a good day! Thankfully, we found it and all was right with the world again.

    Love that smile on Imogen's face!!!

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    1. Thank goodness you found Puppy again, Melissa! x

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