Becoming a Special Kind of Mom
And So It Begins
Dear Readers, in honor of Mother’s Day I thought you’d like to hear from one of our neighbors who became a mom when she least expected it. Yes I’m talking about Edna Sanders. The day she and Harold adopted those two four-legged rascals her life changed forever. I’ll let her tell you.
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes,” says Edna. “If you’d told me I’d be getting teary eyed over a dog slobbering on my good apron or a cat slung over my shoulder, I would’ve laughed right out loud. But here we are, just before another Mother’s Day, and I can’t help reflecting on the sweetest surprise life ever handed me and my Harold: the day we became fur parents.”
New Family Members
“To say that adopting these two critters came as a complete surprise would be the understatement of the year. Or, any year for that matter! I won’t get into exactly how it happened because my author friend, Mary Jane McKittrick, talks all about that in her second book, “Boomer and Halley Lost and Found -Learning to Live in a Blended Family.” I’ll just say it was a life changing experience for all of us.”
“One evening, not long ago, I was sitting out on the back porch in my favorite big wooden chair that rocks a bit. I was admiring my garden of flowers that took such care to get to bloom. Boomer was lying on the ground gnawing on his favorite rawhide bone with his head on my feet. Halley was perched on the armrest. And that’s when it hit me. I never had children of my own. Life just didn’t work out that way for us. But in that moment, with the late sun painting everything in a warm glow and these two babies looking up at me like I hung the moon, my heart swelled so big I thought it might burst.”
I was a mama after all.
Not Always Easy
“Being a fur mom isn’t always glamorous. There are muddy paw prints on my clean floors, early-morning zoomies that sound like a herd of elephants, and the occasional “gift” of a half-dead lizard from Halley.
But there’s also the way Boomer leans against my leg when I’m feeling blue, like he can sense it. And the way Halley curls into the exact shape of my neck when I’m reading in bed, purring her little heart out.
There’s the laughter when Harold tries to teach Boomer to fetch. Sure as shootin’ he ends up chasing the ball himself while Boom sits there grinning like, “You do it, Dad. They healed something in me I didn’t even know was aching.”
Different Kind of Parent
“This Mother’s Day, I want every woman who’s loved a four-legged child to know this: your love counts. The late-night worry when they’re sick, the silly songs you make up for them, the way your heart lights up when they run to greet you—it’s all real mothering. The kindness, caring and love you show them is real. Fur babies don’t replace anything, but they sure do fill up spaces you never knew were empty.”
“To my Boomerang and my Halley’s Comet: thank you for choosing us. Not sure who was most lost at the time, but I’m sure glad we found one another. You made my Southern heart a mama’s heart.”
“And to every fur mom reading this—whether you’ve got horses, dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, or all the above—happy Mother’s Day. May your treats be plentiful, your lint rollers never run out, and your fur babies always know how deeply they are loved.
With sweet tea and even sweeter love, Edna Sanders, in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.”
Very nice post. I liked the heart in it
This i so interesting. Thank you for sharing
Even for those of us who know some of the back story it’s still fun to hear you talk about it in conjunction with everything else the Pines afforded you on this visit. What a trip and thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jerry. I appreciate it!
What an incredible opportunity. Can’t wait to see where it leads
This is an amazing story of persistence Mary Jane. Good for you!
More people need to know about this
What a wonderful project
Thank you so much Berne
What an accomplishment. Good for you
Wow. I never knew the backstory. Way to go!
Always love having you in The Pines and so excited for all of the great connections you are making this week! Top Form!
Thank you Amy. It’s great to be here and hard to leave!
As always, a feel good read. You are working hard putting out positive messages that benefit all. Good job❤️
Aww. Thank you for that Elaine!
Oh my what a delightful environment you lived in Listening
and seeing all you speak about threw your narratives ….wonderful
Enjoy the the rest of experience!
Thank you Jane. Glad you liked it!
It seems you’re making the most of a terrific opportunity.
Enjoy every moment of it.
Thank you Frank. I am enjoying it!
This is really something. I think my grandson needs your book. Cleaning Up Messes is a concept he struggles with
I’ve heard that once or twice before from others Jim
A real full circle moment. Way to go!
Oh my gosh. What a fantastic opportunity. Enjoyed reading about the evolution of your project
Thank you Sharon!
I loved learning about the back story of Shady Pines! Your being there for the Kentucky Derby is a bonus for sure. Need to take a girls trip the Southern Pines. Congratulations on all you have accomplished.
Thank you Barbara. Yes you do!
Derby day and you get to be with horses near “Shady Pines!” How fun. I was privileged to get to visit the birthplace of Boomer and Halley and the rest of the gang last month and I do hope to get back again. Enjoy the rest of your writer-in-residence program and say ‘hi’ to all the shady “Pines” characters for me!
Thank you Sandi. Will do!
This is marvelous Mary Jane! Loved the video as well as the back story in your post. I learned so much about you. Congratulations on what you are doing!
Thank you so much Diane. I really appreciate it!
So happy to see the photos and hear about the beautiful adventure you are having. Congratulations on the residency and enjoy all of the festivities!
Thank you so much Tamara. I hope to!
I didn’t know the back story. That was very interesting. Makes sense
I’m glad you enjoyed that Bernie!
You are a wonderful story of persistence. You aim for your true north star. Well done
You know you are my kindness warrior. You have stuck to your guns through thick and thin. And look at you now. Well done my friend
Awwww. Thank you so much!
Oh my gosh. I had no idea this was happening. Congrats on all of this
I appreciate that Jan
Shady Pines, Derby Day, MJ is in house, in Southern Pines! So much happening it’s all very exciting. YOU are a true candidate for the writer’s week at Weymouth. The future is amazing!
Trish thank you so much. That is incredibly kind!
I loved hearing all about the history of the birth of Shady Pines. Fascinating video.
I also enjoyed learning more about the month of May. Let’s hope the weather soon returns to normal for this time of year!
Thank you Sheri. As for the weather – Me too!!!
The Weymouth center looks beautiful. What a wonderful story and it truly is full circle.
Thank you Sharon!