RAK for my son

[HHC]

Our old, deaf kitty went out on the evening of July 4, and did not come home. We found him dead the next morning.

He was my developmentally disabled son’s bestest buddy for 18 years, and he’s missing him terribly. It breaks my heart.

I wondered if anyone might cheer his day by sending a kitty ATC to him? I know it would delight him beyond words.

Here are a couple of pictures of our beloved kitty, Calvin.
76504 76503


I’d be so grateful for anything that will help cheer him a bit. If you'd like to send him something, please pm me for his address. If you already have my address, it’s the same. Address to Jason Hogan.

Thank you!

P.S. We just discussed what color Calvin would be... if he were a color, and Jason thought purple. Purple was it. Jason is also fond of pinks and reds, just for reference. Blessings to you!

[HHC]

Here's another picture of our Calvin
76531

[CynthiaSillitoe]

Oh no! Big hugs to you both.

[oddbreed]

:( i hate to hear these kinds of stories! im a HUGE animal lover! my hubbys name is Jason and those are 3 of my fav colors too...i will fancy you up a few kitty atcs...you can let me know what you think!

[HHC]

Aubrey, you're a doll. :)

[RobbyGirl]

Helen, I'm working on something special for your son. May I use the picture of Calvin? I've been doing special pet memorial art for my friends that lose their pets.

[Joss]

Oh, it is so hard to lose one's pet. I have the 'Herman overflow' cards here ready to send, will make some kitty cards and add to the envie.

[HHC]

Robin and Joss, you are both just wonderful!

Robin, please feel free to use the pictures in your art, if you wish. :)

[RobbyGirl]

This is for your Son Helen, a little Calvin Memorial it is 5 X 5 on 140lb Watercolor paper done, Mixed Media, Acrylic.

The Poem on the back reads:

I just wanted to let you know that I made it home.
The journey wasn't an easy one, but it didn't take too long.
Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh and new.
I wish that you could close your eyes and that you could see it too.
Please try not to be sad for me. Try to understand,
God is taking care of me...
I'm in the shelter of His hands.
Here there is no sadness, no sorrow, and no pain.
Here there is no crying and I'll never hurt again.
Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing.
I really have to go for now... I've just got to try my wings
~Unknown


http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/3883/large/1_Memorial_Calvin_for_HHC.jpg (http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/3883/1_Memorial_Calvin_for_HHC.jpg)

[HHC]

Oh Robin, you made me cry. Thank you! He'll love it. :)

[wildholly]

Me too....teary eyes here.

I'm making something for Jason too Helen....you bet!

[RobbyGirl]

Sorry Helen, I cried the whole time I was making it.

[HHC]

Oh, thank you Holly! :wub:

I am blessed to have such caring friends here at AFA. Hugs to you all!

[Cat's Cradle]

I can make something for Jason. :yes:

[HHC]

Thank you, Melissa!

[oddbreed]

that brought tears to my eyes tooo! Robin, you are awesome!
HHC~ive made a few cat pics...let me know which ones you think Jason would like!

[oddbreed]

one more, this is a 4 1/2 by 5 1/2 , a nice poem would fit on the back too, any poem ideas folks?
you can have them all HHC!

[HHC]

oddbreed, they are all wonderful. The one with the fish is closest to his kittys color, and the larger one is fabulous! You are such a sweetie! :wubclub:

[Cat's Cradle]

I found a piccy of my Sierra, who was the same kind of cat as Calvin--classic tabby. Would it be okay for me to use her to make a card? (I don't have a color printer, so using the pics of Calvin are out of the question for me...)

[HHC]

That's perfect, Melissa. :)

[wildholly]

These are all so darn sweet.
Helen, will he be getting another kitty someday soon?

[Batraplume]

:sad: I know what it is to loose a kitty... Big hugs to you both...
I will send him something, I've already started. Please give me your address, thanks!
Yes, maybe you should get another cat someday?

[katrinabean86]

:( How sad. Poor thing. I'd be happy to add a card to my envie when I send out the Herman ones, if that's okay :) Sounds like the cat had a full life. :)

[Theresagram]

Helen, I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to your son. Hugs!

[Ibus]

one more, this is a 4 1/2 by 5 1/2 , a nice poem would fit on the back too, any poem ideas folks?
you can have them all HHC!

How about one of TS Eliots poems? He wrote quite a few about cats.

[HHC]

I don't know yet if we'll get him another cat soon. He's on the list for independent housing, so we need to check to make sure he can have a kitty when he finally gets his apartment.

Batraplume, I'm pming you my address.

Katrina, that would be awesome!

Hugs for you all!

[Batraplume]

Helen, I made a pop-up ATC for your son. Hope it won't make him cry :(
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/1691/large/1_calvin.jpg

[HHC]

Isa, it made me cry. I think it will make him smile. Thank you SO MUCH! It's just beautiful! :wub:

[Cat's Cradle]

Isa, that is beautiful!!

[alanabannana]

Made this card for him

[HHC]

Oh Alana, it's adorable! He'll love it! Thank you so much! :wubclub:

[Just Ducky]

Helen, so sad to lose a fur friend and now to see all the love flowing to Jason really does show the love we have for our ATC family...
I will get a cutie or two done for Jason and in the mail to him on Monday...
warm hugs to you both....

[HHC]

Nancy, you are a sweetie! Thank you so much for thinking of my son. :wubclub:

[xstitcher]

Helen I would like to cross stitch your son a kitty.

It will be purple, of course.

It may be a few days but I will get it done.

[oddbreed]

WOW! awesome art ladies! love the pop up! HHC~i think i need your addy, will pm you!

[HHC]

Mary Ann, you are wonderful to make something for my son... a purple kitty sounds perfect. Thank you! :wubclub:

[oddbreed]

i found a poem..it made me cry! what do you all think?

To have loved and then said farewell is
Better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head,
Fed me my favorite treat and
Returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.
I ask that you grieve
Not for the loss but rejoice in the fact that we lived,
Loved and touched each other's lives.
My life was fuller because you were there, not as owner, but as my friend.
Today, I am as I was in my youth.
The grass is always green, butterfly’s flit among the flowers
And the sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump and play
And do all of the things that I did in my youth.
There is no sickness, no aching joints
No regrets and no aging.
We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know
That togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours.
Companions such As you are very rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself.
Give it to another like me and then I will live forever.
For love never really dies,
And you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your pet in heaven.

[HHC]

Aubrey, that is wonderful. It makes me cry too. :)

[KESagers]

Here is a Calvin kaleidoscope for Jason. I'll print and mail.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/768/medium/1_HHC_s-Calvinw.jpg

[HHC]

Oh Kristin, that is so cool! Thank you!

[Just Ducky]

I am loving the Love........

[HHC]

Me too, Nancy. :)

[oddbreed]

Helen, putting it in the post today!
you are all amazing souls!

[Russell]

Helen, I would love to send something to your son. It may take me a few days, but if you send me the address I will get started on something and get it into the mail as soon as possible.

[HHC]

Thank you, Russell. I'm sending you the address now. :wubclub:

[Just Ducky]

I mailed out today...(Mon) and the man said you should have the package by wednesday...
so I thinking you might have it by friday.... I sure hope Jason is doing better these last few days... all the treasures of love being sent to him I know will put some sunshine back into his life...

[shayNOLA]

Helen,
So sorry for your loss. My daughter Emily (11yo) and I made a little something for Jason. Hope it puts a smile on his face. Everyone is doing such lovely, heartfelt gifts. What an amazing AFA family!
Please PM me your address.

[HHC]

Oh my goodness, Shay! They are adorable. Thank you so much! :wubclub:
I've sent my address.

[HHC]

Jason was having a melancholy afternoon, and we worked on some memory book pages for his kitty. To his delight, two envelopes arrived in the mail, from Toni and Oddbreed.

He LOVED them! Thank you both so much for making his day. And mine. :wubclub:

[Russell]

I hope to get mine into the mail today (if not then tomorrow for certain). Here is a sneak peek. I have been working on some paper dolls for a swap and since the supplies were there I decided to try a kitty paper doll. I hope he likes it.

[Cat's Cradle]

Oh, Russell! The kitty doll is absolutely precious!

[HHC]

Russell, it is awesome! What a cute little heart nose. I'm sure he'll love it. THANK YOU! :wubclub:

[Russell]

You are very welcome. I got it into the mail this morning.

[HHC]

Oh my, two envelopes arrived today!

From Dilys - a gorgeous cat of another color. He noticed the purple immediately with a huge grin.
From Just Ducky - an adorable soft soft kitty, and kitty post cards. He hugged the kitty immediately, and it's now residing on his bed.

Thank you both so much! :wubclub:

[xstitcher]

Mine is stitched, just need to back it and get it in the mail.

Hope to do that today or tomorrow.

[egod]

I just saw this and cried my way through it. I will send your son something. I haven't made it yet; so it may be a while. I need your address. We have lost so many animals and it breaks our heart again each time.

[HHC]

egod, I've sent you my address. Thank you so much for thinking of my son. :wubclub:

[wack1985]

I'm not good at drawing cats but I'll sure try to figure something out. :)
I am a cat lover (well any animal, not just cats) as well and it hurts to lose a pet.

[ICraft]

So sad to hear about your son's kitty - my daughters and I were just talking about our own pets the other day and how they become so much a part of our family that when we lose them it is so heart breaking. I'll try to get my kitty creativeness in gear and see if I can make something for your son. Take care - I know how hard these times can be.

[HHC]

Thanks, ICraft. It's been a hard week for Jason and I'm worn out, but he's getting there. It all takes time.

We've been working on a memory book, and we'll also have a frame with all the lovely RAK art that has been arriving.

You are all the best!

[HHC]

Which reminds me, envelopes arrived yesterday from Alana, KittyNL and Cynthia. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I really need to get a picture of the smile on his face when he opens the envelope to see what treasures are within. :)

[Art101]

Ahh, sorry to hear about your family's kitty. My 10 yr old boy cat was killed by dogs last fall, and just about that time a card came up for trade by Elena. It was an exact representation of my cat as a kitten, and I keep the card posted on my calendar by my computer. I love that card! It always brings warm thoughts for me when I see it.

I'd like to send a card to your son, addy please.

[HHC]

Thank you, Art101. It's hard to lose our fur-friends, I sorry for your loss. Sending you my address.

[Linda4atc]

I really need to read the signatures more often. Helen, I just saw this, I hope that it isn't to late? I made a Calvin card for Jason. It is kind of wild, but I hope it makes him smile.
77176
And Robin you had me crying too with poem.

[Locke]

I would like to send him a card if it's okay :3

In the past year we've lost five pets between my 'family'. Some old and some who should still be with us but aren't.

Please send me your address when you can.

[HHC]

Linda4atc, it's delightful. Thank you so much for thinking of Jason. :)


Locke, how kind of you. I'm sorry you've lost so many pets so close together. Hugs for you! I'm sending my address. :)

[egod]

I've finished my piece which requires a box and as soon as I find one, I'll send it off!

[wildholly]

I finished a little painting for Jason.
Will send out later today to you.;)

[Gerry]

If it isnt too late I would love to send a kitty card to Jason.

[HHC]

Oh, Holly! You're a sweetie! Thank you! :wub:

Gerry, it isn't too late at all. Thank you for thinking of him. :wub:

[ICraft]

Wouldn't that kaleidoscope make an awesome ornament at Christmas time? I love it!

[ICraft]

Oh and Batraplume that pop-up card is awesome too!

[HHC]

Jason has received envelopes from Russell (he loves the kitty paper doll!), Joss (Happy Cat gave him a big grin!) and Shaynola and her daughter Emily (he loved the drawings, and was amazed and the likeness, Shay!)

Thank you all so very much for your kindness. :wubclub:

[Cat's Cradle]

After mentioning my Sierra, hubby doesn't want me using her pic to make an art card. She was his baby.

SO, I'm working on another kitty project for Jason and will mail as soon as it's finished.

[ICraft]

I just haven't been able to get you or Jason out of my mind since Ducky sent me the link to this RAK for your son. Hope this card brings Jason a little cheer - I'll get it in the mail on Wednesday.

P.S. I know the picture looks kind of blue but it's actually purple - thought Jason and Calvin would like that best.

[HHC]

Oh Dena, it's just wonderful. He will love it. Thank you so much. :wubclub:

[ICraft]

Glad to have your seal of approval! Many hugs!

[wack1985]

I'm going to have to end up using a photo of a cat because I can't get my hand to draw anything that looks close.

[egod]

I just mailed my piece. I hope it arrives safely. Also hope that Jason is finding some comfort in all the art pouring in.
Erin

[HHC]

In the past couple of days, Jason has received envelopes from Pennyquilter (a beautiful black and white kitty ATC!) KESagers (he put the kaleidoscope in his memory book for Calvin) and Batraplume (he adored the pop out Calvin!).

You are all giving him such wonderful smiles!

[Just Ducky]

oh Helen, I am so glad that Jason is happy with all the love coming his way... and I know I smile each time you post his newest arrivals... warm and fuzzy is good...

[katrinabean86]

Just finished the card :) I'll be including it with the Herman cards, like I said. Should be out in the mail tomorrow :)

[HHC]

Thanks, Katrina. You're a doll! :wub:

[catladybj]

Here is a Calvin kaleidoscope for Jason. I'll print and mail.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/768/medium/1_HHC_s-Calvinw.jpg

Kesagers-how did you do the Calvin kaleidoscope?
It is great.
all the artwork ya'll have shown is wonderful, and Jason will have a really nice memory book.
sending mine along in a day or so Helen. I am not as talented as so many others here are, but the kitty will be purple!

[KESagers]

I use Kaleidoscope Kreator 2 (it's an older verson). It's a Windows based program - grumble grumble - but it's easy to use and for me has been worth every penny.

Here is the web site:

http://www.kalcollections.com/

[HHC]

I'm behind posting here, but want to mention the following fabulous artists sent their art for Jason:
Joss - a delightful kitty ATC
WildHolly - an beautiful kitty with goldfish canvas
Maineatc - an adorable kitty ATC
miss - a lovely hand drawn kitty ATC
Robbygirl - a wonderful Calvin canvas with the poem that made me cry.
ICraft - the lovely Calvin folding arch card.
egod - a wonderful Calvin canvas

You should see his smile when he opens each new "surprise". THANK YOU ALL! :wubclub:

[Art101]

I'm mailing my card today, using red based acrylics (as another of his fav colors). Acrylics are new to me, it was nice to have this inspirational project to work on as I learn.

[HHC]

Oh thank you, Art101!

[HHC]

Jason received lovely kitty ATC's from Gerry and Katrinabean86! Thank you both so much! :wubclub:

[jensaz]

Am sending small sort of a memory book/journal with a few pics of Calvin (colorized, etc...) Thought maybe Jason could fill in the blank pages (not many) with his own artwork/words or whatever he wants.
I send loving wishes for a healing heart.

Namaste

Jen

[HHC]

Jen, that is so wonderful! I'm sure he will be delighted with the memory book/journal! Thank you! :wubclub:

[HHC]

Jason received envelopes from xstitcher - an adorable stitched purple kitty ATC, and from Art101, a colorful painted kitties ATC. I really need to get a picture of his smile when he opens the envelopes.

[HHC]

You all are so wonderful! You have helped make this adjustment easier for him, and I am so grateful! Bless you all!

And Jason asked me to let you know he says

THANK YOU!

[Joss]

reading all these outpourings of love makes me feel warm and happy inside. Bless you and bless Jason.

[Linda4atc]

Welcome Cheryl! We do have a lot sweet people here....

[HHC]

And I'm behind... Jason received a wonderful card from Linda4atc with photo of her kitties, and fun kitty ATC.

And memhill also sent an adorable kitty with purple wings and crown for Jason.

He's quite proud of his collection!

[Linda4atc]

I'm glad it got there. :)

[HHC]

I just want to say a final thanks to you all for sending RAK to my son. He's so appreciative, as am I. :wubclub:

I'm closing this thread now.