Hidden Treasures

I have a friend who lives on my road named Kathy. Kathy's married to Mike who I've known and talked to for years. When I received the cancer diagnosis and phoned all the people I'd ever met in my life, Kathy was one of those people though I think I hadn't met her before I called her. She's a great listener and had worked hospital administration so she knew some of the quacks doctors. After getting through chemo, and other pieces of my life, I recently reconnected with Kathy. Actually Kathy's using me because she loves Bella, my dog and I'm using her as a friend.


About once a week I'll walk Bella up (it's uphill, dammit) to their house -- not very far away and Kathy always insists on driving us back because that way we have maximum time to visit even if I protest and say I need to walk (which I do though one helluva lot further than Kathy's house). Bella goofs around their house while we visit, playing with their previous dog's toys, and threatens their 35lb cat who reminds me of a Macy's parade float. He actually is a lot like a corgi though, big on the top with tiny little legs. I told Kathy not to take the cat to the vet or she'd be turned in for animal cruelty. I used to be embarrassed about my cat who was diabetic - the cat that I killed. If anyone saw her running waddling across the road, a passerby might call animal services and report me for animal cruelty. My cat's furry stomach hit the ground. Kathy's cat appears to float. He's helium-filled. For this cat's sake, thank goodness they don't have knees.

I took Hannah to Kathy's house the last time she was visiting me -- with Bella too, of course. I asked Kathy to show Hannah some of her craft work. Kathy makes cards, crochets. I'm not sure what all she does. I know the woman is talented. She makes tiny little hats for babies out of the softest yarn. I could have used one of these hats during chemo when I was bald. *hint* Anyway, Hannah was pretty open to meeting Kathy. First they shared some sort of treat or several treats while I stayed out of the kitchen area. Then Hannah started nosing her way around Kathy's house, looking for good stuff in the nooks and crannies. Hannah found a jar of buttons akin to a treasure chest. Kathy gave Hannah a baggie to put her riches into and Hannah carefully chose from the jar, some of the most shiniest jewels (read buttons). Then Hannah tried to get me involved in the heist. She kept calling Kathy, Kaffy, the same way she calls PK's dog, Bailey, Brittany. Kaffy would go wherever Hannah was inside her house, treasure hunting, and talk to her about the latest discovery. Hannah came away with a ceramic cat (not a Macy's parade version) and a baggie full of loot.


Bella sniffing around looking as if she needed to pee, long having given up the search for the infamous fatcat, Hannah proudly holding a baggie full of "treasures," her belly freshly loaded with some of Kaffy's treats, I knew we had to leave or we'd need a truck to haul stuff away. I insisted we walk home carrying the prized possessions which knowing a 5 year old the way I do, probably got tossed on her bedroom floor once she arrived back in her own home. She shares her bedroom with her two step-sisters. Probably feels like prison. (my projection)

Since meeting Hannah, Kathy sent an email saying that she was looking at poncho patterns for 5 year olds when she really should be crocheting me a poncho. I thought...shoot, I've known you longer than Hannah, crochet me a poncho!  What a precious thought! Kathy is a hidden treasure. I'm grateful to have discovered her again. 


I wrote back, "A poncho in assorted colors or pink!" because Hannah is 5 years old, she loves the color pink though it's also been my experience that Hannah will take just about anything she can get her hands on if her baggie is large enough.