The Terrible Day

I ask that you respect this request to NOT to ask our family about this incident for a while as it is too fresh and too difficult on us. The reason that I have chosen to post this, is because this blog has become so real, such a personal account of what has been a true family adventure. This post is one of the sad parts of the adventure.

On the evening of April the 5th our little kitty Lilly died of causes that we prefer to not discuss at this time. She was only six months old and very much a part of our family. She meant many things to all of us, especially the kids. When I think of the castle, I always think of her looking out the window at the birds, wishing she could catch one of them.

I will never forget the day we gave her to the kids. It was after their first day of school. Olivia was in her brand new cast and they were so excited. I’m not sure I have ever seen them happier. They must have thanked us twenty times.

When times were tough in the early days she was the highlight of Trey and Olivia’s day. They would race up the driveway to see her after school. She was the reason that they looked forward to returning from Christmas Break to Italy. There was something very unique and special about this little kitty that we named after the symbol of Florence (The Lilly) and the castle is dark and empty without her around in many ways.

For Anna, it is lonely. Lilly would sleep with her most every night and would greet her everyday when we would arrive home from the gym. I have never seen my wife this sad.

This was our children’s first real experience with death and in many ways was the toughest day of our lives as parents. The day we told the kids was a very difficult day indeed and one where we learned a lot about each other as a family. Anna has asked me to not include any further details as it is too fresh and too personal. It has been very hard on the children and their emotions are still very high at this point.

We will miss her as she will always be our Florentine kitty.