Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Gift of Graham

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When the Loudermilks first moved in, I posted a few of their pictures on my personal Facebook page.  Briana, friend and neighbor, immediately took note of adorable little Graham.    

Briana and her husband, Sascha, were thinking about adding a second cat to their household.  They weren't really considering a kitten, but a young adult instead, and had been visiting local shelters in search of a good match for their tabby boy, Melvin.

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While Briana and Sascha searched for the perfect cat, the Loudermilks grew, and were ready for adoption.  Cyrus, Clive and Ralphie found their families, but Graham's people hadn't stepped forward yet, and when Briana saw he was still available, she sent me a message.

She wondered if it would be possible for me to bring Graham over for a visit to see if things might work with Melvin.

I packed up Graham in the carrier and walked over to their house.  Briana met me at the door with a huge smile, I came in and placed the carrier on the floor.   Melvin woke from his nap on the couch, and hopped down to investigate this odd delivery in the middle of the room.

Noses bumped, paws reached, both were curious and calm.  

We waited a few moments, then I opened the carrier door, and Graham eased his way out. Melvin stayed close.

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Not a single growl was growled or hiss was hissed.  Never in a squillion years, did I think the first few moments would go as great as this.

The boys continued to check each other out, and Graham explored the room,  the whole first floor, then made his way upstairs. Melvin stayed close, and they even chased each other around a bit. Briana and I followed the boys and chatted and soon agreed that Graham was a very good fit.

And then we hatched a plan to surprise their three children, who more than anything, wanted a cat for Christmas.

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We wanted the timing to be perfect, so we waited for the next evening that was free of appointments, commitments, and lessons to deliver this special Christmas gift.

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I found a lid to a grapefruit box that was slightly larger than the carrier, and wrapped all but one side of it with Christmas paper and trimmed it with a bow.   I placed Graham in the carrier,  slid the carrier into the box, and  Craig and I walked over to their house with the surprise in hand.

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The kids were at the table finishing their dinner when we arrived.   I placed the package on the floor with the open side of the box concealed, and announced that we were here to deliver a special Christmas gift for the family.

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The kids came closer and Graham let out a few mews. Mouths dropped open, eyes got big and Caleb, their son, screamed "O.........M.........G" and threw his arms in the air.    We slid the carrier out of the box and released little Graham to say hello to the whole family.

The pictures I took that night aren't the best.  The light was low, and my eyes were a little teared-up, which made it difficult to focus the camera properly.    Even thought they aren't the greatest, I wanted to include these images in the post so you could get a sense of the joy and glee in the house that night.


As you can imagine, Caleb, Yahbi, and Sega were shocked, surprised and thrilled by this adorable gift.

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They were all in awe of his tininess and adorableness.

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Smiles were huge and abundant, hearts were happy.

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The kids were so sweet with Graham.  They took turns holding him and playing with him and even in all this excitement of getting a new kitten, were very aware of Melvin, who could of easily been overlooked in this moment, and gave him lots of love too.

Craig and I stayed for a spell and enjoyed talking with the family and soaking in this lovely scene.   The kids, again and again, thanked us for their kitten.

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Briana, Sascha, Sega, Calab, Yahbi and Melvin, thank you so much for adopting our sweet boy. We are thrilled to no end that he has found a place in your beautiful, loving family.

Watching you receive the gift of Graham will forever be one of my favorite Christmas memories, and I hope it's the same for you.





















 




60 comments:

  1. Yup, happy tears.

    Hooray for Graham and his new family. They all look absolutely thrilled :) Being so close, perhaps we'll hear an occasional update... maybe he'll sit in the window and wave to Butterbean :)

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  2. Oh my goodness. Happy tears. What a beautiful story.

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  3. What a sweet story! I love the pictures of the kids. And it's so great that they were attentive to Melvin as well. Happiness all around!

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  4. What a wonderful story, Laurie! Those smiles couldn't have been bigger!

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  5. Replies
    1. Indeed! It seems like Graham found the absolute best home. Thanks for the post and fantastic photos!

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  6. Oh my gosh, what a houseful of beautiful people and cats.

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  7. Awww, that just made me tear up at my desk. What a happy ending _and_ beginning for little Graham and his new human caretakers.

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  8. Aw, jeez. The happy tears. At the office, no less! Thanks, Laurie!

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  9. What a great story! I'm so happy that not only do the children love Graham, but that Melvin thinks he's okay, too!

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  10. And little Graham is singing, "I am home for Christmas..." What a lovely family - furry & otherwise!

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  11. I disagree. Those pictures ARE the best.

    Of course, I happen to have a little dust in my eye right now, so maybe I'm not the best judge.

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  12. I agree with Melissa. These pictures are perfect! Low light or not, they show pure joy and happiness! Congratulations to everyone! And Merry Christmas! All of the Loudermilks found their purrfect families. It doesn't get any better than that!

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  13. How awesome! Now I'm crying at work too. Graham will be having lots of fun, especially with all the Christmas wrap coming up. Congrats on another successful adoption!!

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  14. Oh brother...another crier at the office.

    This builds up my spirits. Thank you Laurie. Congrats to the whole family!! <3

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  15. Weeping with the rest of you! And totally agreeing that this is a truly beautiful family!
    I understand that Graham and Melvin really are meant to be together.

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  16. Tears. Love this wonderful story. That first picture of Graham is beautiful. I loved seeing the kids reaction of meeting Graham. Thank you for sharing this.

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  17. That is *just* what I needed today. Thank you.

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  18. Such a wonderful, heartwarming story! I teared up too. Love the photo of Graham and Melvin as well as all those lovely photos of the children's smiles. What a touching moment in time that you have shared with us.

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  19. Are you kidding? Best pictures ever. They show the complete, unfiltered joy. Awwww.. So very happy for the family and for Graham for getting each other for a gift!

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  20. oh thank you, thank you, thank you - don't we all need this wonderful story? The whole family is so in love with this new guy! Kisses and hugs and so many many thanks! Christine from Seattle

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  21. So amazing! I'm so happy for the family and for Graham. Also, I'm so happy we all have you to make us cry happy tears at work! :)

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  22. Definitely meant to be, their initial meeting was so awesome!

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  23. On board the Happy Tears train too...what a wonderful story and so wonderfully told, Laurie.

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  24. Now that is a day-maker. So awesome! And anyone else notice that Melvin is one handsome lad? He got a buddy for Christmas :)

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    1. I like how it looks like he was drawing on his 'forearms' with a brown magic marker!

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    2. It really does, doesn't it? I hadn't seen that before, but you're right.

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  25. Both Graham and the children are totally adorable.

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  26. It's great they're so close - you'll be able to nag them in person for photos and stories... er... I mean... you'll easily be ale to monitor Graham's progress!

    Seriously, this is one of the best adoption stories yet! Thanks again!

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  27. Sitting in my office crying... What a beautiful post!! Thank you.....

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  28. Instead of a little boy who it looked like had been temporarily forgotten by the universe, it's clear that the universe was just holding Graham back to make sure his adoption was even more perfect than usual! All those smiling kids (and parents), and Graham and Melvin hitting it off instantly -- could anything be more perfect? Thank you for the most wonderful Christmas adoption story ever, Laurie, and thanks to the whole wonderful family who gave us all such magical moments seeing their job at their new family member!

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  29. O....M....G!!!!! Love, love, love this adoption!

    Patti in KY

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  30. Another beautiful Christmas story. Melvin will be the perfect big brother for our little Graham. The family is beautiful and sweet and I know without a doubt that Graham is going to have a wonderful forever home with them. Congrats to all!

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  31. Look at those awesome smiles!!! :D This is just the happiest story, thanks so much for sharing!

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  32. Happy tears at work! And to think he'll be next store for visits! I love the way this story went. After a long hard day, my heart just felt warmth. Thank you, Laurie!

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  33. What a treat to witness the children's reactions to Graham! I am so happy that this little man found such a loving family, and big brother.

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  34. Absolutely wonderful Christmas story that I think we all needed. My love to Graham and his awesome family!

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  35. What a great story! It made me tear up a little! I am so happy for Graham and his new family... That picture of him under the Christmas tree is too sweet for words!

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  36. YAY! A Christmas Kitty! I'm reminiscing now about a little kitten I rec'd on December 21st, many, many years ago when I was ten... (sigh!) =)

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  37. Laurie,

    I do hope you'll post some site stats now that Graham's story has been picked up by Buzzfeed.

    Yay!

    PS Melvin is so cute!

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  38. What a heartwarming story to start the day with. It's a good thing I live in North Carolina, otherwise I would have a lot more than my current 4 cats....they, especially this last batch of kittens, are always sweet beyond words or pictures...

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  39. What a beautiful family - Graham is so blessed! What a happy ending for such a sweet cat.

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  40. I'm glad the meeting went so well with Melvin. He was hoping for a new friend to play with while everyone else was gone during the day. It's heart-warming to see such a loving family and how they didn't forget Melvin either. This is a family that has plenty of love to give.

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  41. What a wonderful and unusual story. I love that Melvin was given rights of first approval (and I love that he approved)!

    What a creative way of wrapping Graham up for delivery *g*

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  42. Oooh, what a sweet little holiday treat for everyone.

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  43. My new favorite Itty Bitty Kitty Committee post. Well, one of my top 3, definitely!!!! :-) Well done, Laurie, Craig, and Bean! You did a great job and it shows. Yours, Darin.

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  44. With all of the sad events of the past week, I think we all needed to hear a sweet and happy story. Thanks for the "happy" tears. Rock on Melvin and Graham and happy tails to you for a long life with lots of cuddles from a wonderful family.

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  45. The pictures are great! The kids' excitement is definitely evident.

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  46. Somebody must be chopping onions around here *sniff* *sniff* :) What a beautiful, beautiful story - I'm so glad little Graham has found a most wonderful forever home - I wish every cat (and dog) could be so lucky! As I type this my own sleeping marmie has my legs pinned on the couch so I can't move - and I'm not complaining, hehe :)

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  47. Graham was obviously waiting for an extraordinary family, and did he ever find one! From his new brother Melvin to his new kids and grown-ups, he certainly hit the jackpot, and it couldn't happen to a sweeter, more deserving kitty.

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  48. Oh boy - tears are right. After a week of so much sorrow, what a beautiful story! Karma was definitely working for little Graham and his new family. :)

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  49. Sure is dusty today in my office.

    What a wonderful story, especially for the holidays! Thanks so much for posting it!!

    Though I does have a bit of a sad, because Graham is the spitting image of my dear, departed Zonker, who left us 5 years ago.

    But good on everybody involved in this story, including -- of course -- Graham and Melvin.

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  50. Such a beautiful story! I don't normally agree with animals being given as gifts, but this turned out to be a awesome exception. Best of luck and happiness to the family and their new addition! :-)

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  51. This is wonderful. I also love "Melvin" as a cat name!

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  52. Such a sweet story. I love happy endings. The pictures are great too. I hope everyone will be happy for many years to come.

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  53. Omigosh, what a wonderful story. Such a happy family with two sweet rescued kitties! Thank you for sharing this at Christmas time. We'll go hug our own 6 rescue kitties and give them some extra love, knowing they're safe and warm just like these two guys!

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