Friday, April 25, 2014

Heartbreak - Losing Sunshine in The No Generation




I believe in some blending of hope and sunshine sweetening the worst lots. I believe that this life is not all; neither the beginning nor the end. I believe while I tremble; I trust while I weep.


- Charlotte Bronte



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Sunshine

I was asked to help this beautiful new-born kitten by a kind young man named Christopher who contacted me through Facebook.  He met a kind young lady named Victoria at the vet.  She found the kitten, an apparent orphan.  They both brought the kitten to me late Wednesday night.

I originally posted their photo on Facebook to ask for help, along with a plea.  Although there were a handful of shares, and close to 400 people saw the post, no one responded to help.  I agreed to take him.  I believe it would have been better if someone with more time and energy nursed him, for his sake.  But there was no one.

He came rather strong I thought.  He fought valiantly the first 18 hours, but then he seemed to weaken last night.  I fell asleep on the sofa.  I was exhausted.  I didn't wake to feed him again until this morning, and he was already fading away.  I blame myself.  I think if I had woken in the middle of the night he would have had a better chance. 

I feel sad when I ask for help and there is silence. I feel sad when I think of Jesus saying the harvest is great, but the workers are few.  He commanded us to therefore pray God sends more workers into the harvest.  I pray this. 

I have a name for this new silent generation.  I call them The No Generation. 

These two young people who brought me the new-born kitten were Good Samaritans, lovely young people who I pray will never change.  Yet, they put their trust in me and I failed them and I feel terrible. 

Sunshine passed away this morning despite all my protesting and prayers, despite all my efforts to keep him warm and to wake him from the sleep I saw him falling into, and despite all the animal rights and welfare activists hollering on Facebook.  He stopped taking the milk, his suckling grew weaker and weaker.  I am greatly saddened, I feel helpless, and yet I still have faith.  I said yes.  I still believe it would have been better for the kitten if someone else had said yes.  But there was no one willing. 

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Victoria, the lovely young woman who saved Sunshine, bought formula for him.  She bought a lovely carrier for him that when I look at I want to cry.  She brought him wrapped in the softest blankets. 

I do not know if Sunshine was a he or a she. 

Godspeed, Sunshine.  Your memory is eternal with me.

I pray God sends more workers into the harvest. 

I pray for a Yes Generation.

Victoria, Christopher, I am so sorry. 

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Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ’When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ’Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ - Matthew 25:35-40