Martha Luther King
She was the first to greet you before you even got to the door. The little shadow that followed me into the kitchen garden and quietly kept me company. The pretty little poser at Connecticut Country House photo shoots (even when her cameo appearance was not needed). The sweet social butterfly at every occasion. Our kitty, Martha Luther King, has been a family member for over 14 years, and sadly after a prolonged illness, has passed.
People always asked if Martha was named after the famous Martha (Martha Stewart). The answer was no. So the story goes…Rick and Conor went to adopt a kitten. On the drive back home, Conor declared that the kitten’s name would be Martin Luther King (after just learning about Dr. Martin Luther King in an elementary school lesson). Rick turned back to him and said, “Honey, the kitten’s a girl”, and without any hesitation, Conor immediately answered, “then Martha Luther King”. This story always makes me smile, and that’s how I’ll always think of our Martha.
Love, Nora
Oh, your story of your kitty and little boy (where did he go, every Mother ask?) makes me cry.
I have a similar story that still breaks my heart many years after the fact.
You have my sincere sympathy. You will miss her for a long time. Thank goodness for our memories!
Love this story..it is always hard to loose a pet that has belonged to the family for years. I lost my dear Dudley Ann after twenty years and think of her daily. “Martha” will be in great company at the “Rainbow Bridge”!
My heart breaks for. After losing our house bunny after 10 years. I know how this feels and i am so very sorry.
Knowing sbe is at holy rest can be a comfort but of course it’s not.
Hopefully, , at ths right time new kitty will grace you with her presence.
A beautiful Russian blue has moved in with us after being rehomed and we are so in love with her.
On another note i ask you earlier if you could share information about your fragrant syringa, i really miss that smell
Great story. I am sure you have lots of memories. Sorry for your loss. it is never easy.
Oh no! So sorry to hear. I always wondered how she got her name. Thank you so much for giving us a peak into the details of your life. You have no IDEA how many times I go through your magazine and blog.
Oh, I am so very sorry, This story is close to my heart, we just lost our kitty two weeks ago, he would have been 16 next month. They are true family members and will be so very missed. May our hearts heal with time until we see them again. Hugs –
Hi Nora: OMG, LOVE this story. My brother and I grew up with cats. The first one was named Kitty–very clever. Lived about 12 years. The second one I got to name so, being a Yankees fan, I named him Reggie after Reggie Jackson. My brother, a Mets fan, was not pleased. But, he got to name Reggie’s brother. Did he go w/ Seaver or some other denizen of Shea Stadium? Nope. He went with Brother–almost as clever as Kitty–which was then altered to Bruvsy.
Anyway, this is also a check in to see if you are interested in coming to the Andrew Warde reunion (I’m sneaky, I know). LMK as ticket sales close 7/23 for the reunion on 8/12. Love this blog, bTW. Best, Lew Blaustein.
Sorry that you lost your dear Martha. She must have been such a sweet companion.
We have a 14 year old cat that looks just like Martha! Our cat, Oreo, has just started to have some health problems for the first time in her long life and I know her time to leave us is getting closer. I am so sorry for your loss but what a great joy you had her in your life for 14 years!
I am so sorry to hear this. It is always so hard to loose a beloved pet. Sending love.
Dear Nora,
Animals have a special way of teaching us about love, loyality, joy and friendship. Keep the memories of MLK close to your heart and she will always be with you. We your readers, will miss her too.
A blessings on Martha in her new life over the Rainbow Bridge. My BB3 is there.
So sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. So many times we consider our pets as family members. Such a beautiful country kitty.
Dear Nora – You have my deepest sympathy. As a pet owner myself, I know how difficult losing a cherished pet can be. May the happy memories you have of Martha Luther King help to lessen the pain you are feeling in your heart.
Thank you for sharing your story. What a beautiful antidote of your son naming her. I’m sorry for your families loss.
We are really blessed to have the company of these wonderful creatures.
I am sure Martha was as blessed to love you and your family as you were to be loved by her. She will hold a special place in your garden and in your heart.
This is so sad Nora. We had a kitty named Chloe for about the same amount of time. She had such personality and we miss her something fierce. That said the many memories of her brighten our thoughts almost daily as yours of Martha will continue to do. Pets are such a wonderful blessing full of unconditional love. So let some time pass to heal and then offer your heart and home to another. That’s when the wounds truly begin to heal. Much love, Victoria
Ha ha ha ha! Love the funny things kids say! That will be part of your family forever, won’t it? Meanwhile, sorry about your sweet kitty’s passing. Why did God give our beloved pets such short lives?
Dear Nora and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear kitty, Martha. From those of us who have lost our dear pets, we know how badly it hurts. Take care and God bless.
Love,
Barbara S. in Florida
I don’t have animals in my home, but I have granddogs, the thought of my life not having them makes me sad. It’s funny how children even my grown children continue to humble me and continue to make me a better person. You see, I grew up in a day and time where the animals were work, they didn’t bring much joy to my life, just more work but I know gods creatures are here now to love and enjoy. I’m sorry for your loss, time heals…
Much Love
Debby
Debbygoesshabby.blogspot.com
Nora, So sorry about kitty. It’s hard I lost my two corgi’s, Tasha 13 and Maggie 15 they are member of your family.
LU
Joanne
I am so sorry to learn of Martha Luther King’s passing. I will miss her quiet presence in your photos, but you and your family will miss her presence in your day-to-day. (We lost our own sweet kitty back in the springtime, so such a loss is fresh.)
What a beautiful story. I to have lost pet over the years. It is so hard when they pass. They are our children to us. God’s precious gift to us.
My heart is broken Nora, for you and for everyone that Martha had ever greeted. She was a one in a million. My deepest sympathies.
So sad to loose a beloved pet! Martha was a beauty!
Dear Nora,
I am saddened to hear you have lost your little Sweetie Martha. Every time you walk the garden’s path you will remember the wonderful memories you have of her!
When my Ryan was in the first grade he came home one afternoon and said “Mommy we have a holiday tomorrow!” I said “you do”, which holiday is it?” Ryan happily said Martha Luther King Day!! It has been a favorite family story.
My thoughts are with you all!
Love Jan
So sorry for your loss. We lost our sweet 14 year old Sheltie in May so we know how much our fur friends can be missed.