I had rescued Esther almost 14 years prior after being told, by my vet at that time, there was a feral kitty living in a small housing community not too far from where I was living and it needed a home. After prayerful consideration I decided to see what I could do to help the sweet tabby with big green eyes. It was a nice little housing area and some people had set food out for her. A friend of mine came along in hopes we would be able to rescue her. We both were excited and set out calling for her. After a short time wandering up and down the sidewalks I noticed her outside of one of the homes. There she was…sweet as could be and gentle. I had no problems picking her up and we had a polite introduction and off we went. Praise God for those kind people looking after her in the cold and for my friend who helped that evening. I did make sure that I had not accidentally “adopted” someone else’s kitty and indeed she was the one needing a loving home which I was more than happy to provide. It was the beginning of a new friendship: Esther was the name that rose in my heart for her humble, lady-like manners...and she was a lovely marked tabby with short fur that was grey, had black stripes, speckled with white and soft beige and those striking green eyes. Every color Placed “purrfectly” by our wonderful Creator. She was precious. We traveled far and wide and she was always up for the journey. She enjoyed her goodies and before long became my roly-poly tabby who I would refer to as my Estherlein, a little play on Esther with a touch of German. Boy could she move fast chasing after strings and such even with being a little more cushioned than she ought to be. She would lie beside me whenever possible although she was never a bed companion. She would however snuggle up smack dab in the middle of the bed by the pillows when she wanted and it was always a welcome sight to come home to. She was just a doll, full of life and playfulness while being demure and loving especially as she matured. She was already an adult when I took her in so knowing her age was super hard to determine. All I knew is that she was one sweet loving kitty whose story I would have to wait for Heaven to fully know. She was a stable personality with strength of presence, even in her frailty. All my other pets knew that she was the chief elder furbaby, little queen Esther.

After taking Kaiyah for our prayerful morning mission hike and getting things prepared for the day, I placed a call to the vet. I needed them to know where things were for sweet Esther and to gain some reassuring feedback for the decision at hand. They couldn’t have been more understanding and reassuring that the hard decision had made itself plain and it was time. All I had to do was let them know and bring her in… “Dear Lord please help me with this…”I moaned in my heart. It was just over a week since my Pops had passed away, saying good-bye to my grieving Marmi, and all the demands of work and life, I was on overload and numb. I knew I wanted Esther’s last day to be a peaceful joyful time before saying good-bye that very Friday afternoon.

The call to my Marmi was important as she wanted to speak to Esther before she was put to sleep. She also had words for Kaiyah and Gideon, as my Marmi would do, and we ended the call in the comfort of our Good Shepherd.