A Beautifully Written Tribute To A Great Man

I wanted to share with all of my readers the beautiful obituary that Matthew's best friend, Dan wrote. I was going to post it earlier, but life has a funny way of keeping me really busy lately.  

Matthew Aaron Compton

May 27, 1982 - October 7, 2012

KEIZER - Matthew Aaron Compton passed away quickly and comfortably after a long battle with Cancer. He was surrounded by a subset of his many friends and family who honored him in his final moments as he wished.

Matt attended Whiteaker Middle School, McNary High School, and served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard at the National Motor Lifeboat School. Matt also earned a degree at WyoTech College chasing one of the many passions he had; precision, high-performance metalwork and custom fabrication.

Matt married the love of his life, Bethany, in 2012. They met in Math class at McNary and enjoyed many adventures together since. Up or down, thick or thin, and no matter the physical distance imposed upon them during their journey, they never left each others side.

Among the infinite things Matt was: a man to help build an impossible contraption with, a best friend in good times and bad, a man to share a campfire in the wilderness under the stars, a man who knew the right way to do something and had the fortitude to see it through properly; Matt was a true Renaissance man.

Matt is survived a large and loving family, including his wife Bethany, his mother Jenny, his father Bruce, his step-mother Lori, his step-father Mark, many step-brothers and step-sisters, as well as in-laws. Matt always regarded everyone within his family with love regardless of how they got there. Matt is also missed by his dog, Luna.

Matt was an amazing light in the universe; always a force for Good, a loyal and humble companion who always knew just what those around him needed. Matt's song came to an end far too soon, but his energy and the ripples he made amongst those who knew him will be carried always. May he Rest in Peace.

FYI...Today Sucked!!!

Today sucked! 

Today Amazing Boyfriend wanted to go to Borders. I was really happy to hear this because it's pretty rare that he wants to venture out of the house these days. He is self conscious because his stomach is really swollen because of the cancer, and he has trouble standing for too long because his back hurts from all the extra weight that he's carrying in his abdomen. 

He didn't even make it out of the house. 

  He went through his morning regiment of taking his medicines, eating breakfast, etc. But a little while after eating he started getting nauseous. Then his stomach started to hurt and the only position that he was comfortable in was reclining. After several attempts of getting up, when he thought he was feeling better, only to sit back down to actually feel better, he decided that he wasn't going anywhere. 

It's days like today that make me wonder...

 

 I hate admitting it, but it's true. 

The doctors have been very clear that ABF's prognoses is pretty bad. But I still have the hardest time accepting that. He's only 28 years old! How can that be it? 

He's not giving up, and neither am I! 

But...

 

When we have days like today, it emotionally exhausts me. I hate seeing him in pain. I hate knowing that there's nothing that I can do about it. I hate that I can't make it all go away. I hate it that I can't break down and cry because I NEED to be strong, because all he wants to break down and cry. 

 

What I need to remember is...

I didn't realize how much of a fighter ABF and I both are until he was diagnosed with cancer. Neither of us are willing to give up. Both of us are totally scared, but we're standing together, supporting each other, because that's what you do when you love someone so much. You don't accept the odds. You hope for the best and refuse to go down without a fight. 

So, today really sucked... but the day is almost over and tomorrow is a new day, full of possibilities. 

 

And hope.

Jack and Mali

Five years ago on March 1st my kitties, Jack and Mali were born. 

If you've never heard this story before, allow me to enlighten you to the story of their birth and how they have been with me since day one. 

My Mom's cat Layla got knocked up. She accidently got out before my Mom got her spayed and when she came back in it was already too late. At the time, I was living on the couch at my Mom's house. Layla liked to hang out in my brother Tommy's room, and he had even set up a little bed in there hoping that's where she would decide to have her kittens. Right around the time Layla was due to have her kittens my brother got mad at her and shut the door to his room. 

I remember the night perfectly. I stayed up way too late and had to get up early to be at work by 9. Before I went to sleep Layla was perched on the arm of the couch, watching me. I remember thinking, please don't have these kittens tonight. It would be really bad timing. 

I woke up the next morning before my alarm was set to go off. I didn't know exactly what had woken me up when I felt something squirm against the small of my back. I froze. Then carefully rolled out from underneath my blanket. Layla was working on getting out her fourth kitten, I could see it coming out. She had already had three of them and had pushed them against my back to keep them warm. She had literally had kittens right on me!!! 

Layla had 5 kittens total. Three of the kittens were manx kitties which means that they have no tails. One of the manx kitties went to live with my Mom's co-worker Kristi, Jack and Mali came to live with me when I left my Mom's house, SoCo still lives at my Mom's house and Kiki disappeared awhile back. 

Silly Mali

Jack and Mali are two of the most adorable kitties ever. They are super friendly, always wanting to be petted, scratched and loved. Yes, they have done things that piss me off (like peeing on the fouton) but we've always found a way to get along. 

Mali on the couch

Mali is the most curious and affectionate one. He loves to rub his face on everything, especially other peoples faces. When he sits he'll cross his front paws, like he's posing, but he just does it naturally and always has. 

Jack hiding in our moving boxes

Jack is my little buddy. He's a little on the shy side and loves to hide. There has been times when my boyfriend won't see him all day, but within 10 minutes of my being home from work he'll come find me, snuggling up next to me on the couch. When I've had to sleep in our bed alone I can always guarantee that Jack will be sleeping at the foot of the bed when I wake up in the morning. 

 

Jack hanging out on the bed

Now most of you are probably asking why the hell I'm blogging about my cats. I'm not turning into a crazy cat lady, I swear.

The reason that I'm blogging about my cats is because today I sent them with my Mom to go to their new home. Where I'm moving to already has two cats, and the boyfriend and I decided that two more people, plus our dog and two cats was too much to add to a household. This has been such a gut-wrenching decision for me. I've had Jack and Mali since they were born and I hate that I can't keep them, but I know that giving them up is the right decision. They are going to live with my Mom's co-worker Kristi, who already has their brother. They are going to a good home. 

But my heart still aches a little that I have to give my kitties away. Everyone went back to Salem tonight, leaving me behind because I have to work in the morning. The house feels really quiet without my two little furry friends hanging around, and I sit here, blogging through my tears, eating sugar cookies, hoping to soothe my achy heart just a little.