Strange fact: My cats have both been in my life longer than my mother.

We adopted Marmalade 14 years ago and Sunsilk, 13. My mother passed away 14 years ago.

If you were to ask me…would I trade the pets for my mom you are a cruel person.

I would give anything to have my mother back in my life. Twelve years was not a long enough time to get to know or appreciate her. But, if she hadn’t died then I would not have had Marmalade, Sunsilk, Affie or Saachi. I’m sure at some point we would have a pet it would have been a different one because the timing was different.

I wish I had the best of both worlds but of course, that was not possible. But no, I wouldn’t trade. That might make me a bad person but I’m a firm believer in things happening for reason and people/animals come into your life at the right time.

My mother protected and taught me. She was the best mom I could ask for. But, so were the pets. They taught me patience. They taught me responsibility and in their capacity they protected me.

Would I trade? No. Could I choose? No. I would be a different person if my mother lived or these animals were not in my life.

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.