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In the Forest of Arden

@theforestofarden / theforestofarden.tumblr.com

♆ Nic. INFJ. Horse girl. Erstwhile Classicist. I love musicals, and my library card.
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reblogged
sophiamcdougall
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thefloralmenace

I recently had surgery, and at the time I came home, I had both my cat and one of my grandma's cats staying with me.

- Within hours of surgery, I wake up from a nap to my cat gently sniffing at my incisions with great alarm.

- I was not allowed to shower the first day after surgery, and the cats, seeing that The Large Cat is not observing its cleaning ritual, decided I must be gravely disabled and compensated by licking all the exposed skin on my arms, face, and legs.

- I currently have to sleep with a pillow over my abdomen because my cat insists on climbing on top of me and covering my incisions with her body while I sleep (which is very sweet but not exactly comfortable without the pillow). She also lays across me facing my bedroom door, presumably on guard for attackers who may try to harm me while I'm sleeping and injured.

That's love. 🐈‍⬛🐈❤️

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the-real-seebs

cats are so very unclear on what is wrong with us but they want to help

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ruffboijuliaburnsides

I'd argue that cat knew exactly what was wrong (to a point ofc), because they were trying to lay their body over the incision, to assist the healing with body heat and (probably) purring, on top of providing tongue baths and security just in case.

"The Large Cat is Injured, there is a Wound in their stomach, we will care for them while they heal, attempt to assist healing, and protect them." That's the sweetest fucking thing, AND is understanding (to the best of an animal's ability) what happened.

Cats are love.

#cats#animals
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reblogged
forbloodandbones
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thepeacefulgarden

Promises you must make to yourself (and keep) when it's time to detach with love

  • I will stop trying to control anyone but myself.
  • I will set boundaries with this person, and I will not rescind those boundaries.
  • I will make those boundaries clear.
  • I will not give in to temper tantrums, threats, tears, bargaining, guilt trips, or other manipulative tactics. Instead, I will walk away.
  • I will stop doing things for them that they are capable of doing for themselves, and should be doing for themselves.
  • I will stop "loaning" them money I know I'm never going to get back.
  • I will let them be responsible for their own lives, and their own choices, and I will take responsibility for mine.
  • If it's necessary, I will remove myself and any children and/or pets from the household, and I will get us to safety.
  • I will prioritize my safety and well-being, and the safety and well-being of any children or pets.
  • I will not cover and lie for this person anymore.
  • I will no longer defend or make excuses for their unacceptable behavior.
  • I will prioritize my needs over their wants.
  • I will know that I am doing this because I love them and care about them, and I will absolve myself of guilt.
  • I will cultivate a support system of my own.
  • I will absolve myself of responsibility for their happiness, their life choices, their behavior, their words, and their responsibilities.
  • I will regulate my emotions when they try to dysregulate me. I will not lose my cool, no matter how much they agitate me.
  • If I cannot deescalate them, I will walk away.
  • I will absolve myself of responsibility for their feelings. I will let them be mad. Or sad. Or whatever else.
  • I will not bail them out of legal trouble.
  • I will not bail them out of any other kind of trouble or crisis.
  • I will no longer give this person second, third, fourth, fifth, hundredth chances they don't deserve.
  • I will accept that the situation is what it is, and I will stop trying to minimize or deny how bad it is.
  • I will accept that I cannot change or control them, and I will stop trying to do so.
  • I will find a sense of meaning, identity, and purpose outside of my relationship with them, or feeling "needed" or "wanted" by them, or anyone else.
  • I will let them face the consequences of their behavior, and I will absolve myself of responsibility for those consequences.
  • I will know and understand that I have done my best, and I cannot help someone who won't help themselves.
  • I will know that, no matter how much they may protest otherwise, I am not being selfish.
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