Tuesday, May 23, 2023 early morning

In early March of this year, I decided to end my Wisconsin adventure and move back to Columbia MO for two major reasons:

I missed my family and friends, and realized that as I aged, the logistics of dealing with my physical and/or mental decline and my death would be easier for everyone if I lived in COMO. Just call it a reality check.

The Madison, Wisconsin area is fabulous…but larger than I thought. I realized that Columbia has a sense of place for me, a concept I had never considered. There was long-term familiarity. I was too old to establish a sense of place in the Madison area, but on the positive side, I loved being able to spend in-person time with my cousin, Bob, I made some new friends, I connected with PhotoMidwest (a fabulous organization for photographers), and I became quite familiar with an area I can return to and enjoy for its cultural offerings, lakes, and gorgeous spring, summer and fall seasons. As for winters, I experienced two. The first was not much different from a typical winter in mid-MO, except the temps were a bit colder. Everyone blamed the lack of snow on climate change. This past winter was more like it. We had nice rounds of snow, but nothing overwhelming. After I left in March, they had three fairly hefty snowfalls, so I dodged those bullets.

Settling In

I had a team of three gal pals help me find a wonderful condo rental in a very familiar and convenient location. They checked it over in person, told me “It’s you,” I signed a two year lease, and contacted Two Men and a Truck to get me moved back.

It took about a week or so to unpack all the boxes, and within a few weeks I was mostly settled in. Now I’m organizing things and adding a few touches here and there.

The Biggest Adjustment

The whole time I was packing for the move back to Columbia and unpacking once I got here, I saw my angel boy, Cinnamon, go through a continual decline. I adopted him from the Humane Society when he was 11 and sported a huge cataract. He turned 18 this past February and became mostly blind and deaf, was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease, and he started having mobility issues. About a week ago, I had a quality of life consultation with our vet. Because of his age and disabilities, I told the vet that I didn’t want Cinnamon to go through the pain and discomforts of end stage kidney failure. He agreed that the decision was a compassionate one, and C was escorted over the Rainbow Bridge.

Two days before our vet visit, I gave C a hair trim. The day before our visit, I gave him a warm, gentle bath in the tub. The morning of our visit, he had a pretty good breakfast, and a bit before our vet visit we shared a banana.

For those who have been on this journey, you have shed the same tears.

I miss him with all my heart.