November 2016 – The Turning Points of Life

Scarlett

Hi! My name is Scarlett, and I am a cat. I want to tell my story, because I think you will enjoy the exciting life I lead. People really don’t understand us cats, so maybe by reading my story; you will realize that a cat’s life is filled with adventure and some very exciting things we do.

First, let me give you some of my history.

Before I was born, it was really crowded in my mother’s belly. I don’t know how many kittens were in there; all I know is that everywhere I looked there was somebody else. I tell you, it was so crowded that my tail got bent. It is still bent to this day, but that’s okay with me, it is one of many characteristics that set me a part and makes me unique and special. I haven’t seen another cat with a tail just like mine. Wherever I go people make comments about my black nose. Seems that is something else unique about me.

Another thing happened to me before I was born. I developed smaller than my brothers and sisters. Probably that was the result of the crowded belly of my mom. People said I was the runt of the litter. I didn’t really understand what that meant, but I’m okay with that too, because people seem to love little things better than big things. So when they see me now, they get all giddy and say, “Oh! Isn’t she so cute?”

Well, I was born with all my brothers and sisters and spent a few weeks fighting them for my mother’s milk. I don’t think I did too well at that game, because I remained the smallest one of the family and the only one with a crooked tail. But I was really pretty. None of the others were quite as pretty as me.

After a few weeks, my brothers and sisters began to disappear. I don’t know what happened to them, but one by one someone would pick them up and I never saw them again. I couldn’t understand what was happening. When someone picked me up, they looked at me, smiled and put me back in the box. Before long I was the only one left. That’s when the box I was in went on a trip. My mother’s owner took me and the box to a place where people take unwanted kittens like me.

I lived in my temporary home, a wire cage for a little while. One day a young couple, both with blond hair, came and took a look at me. When the tall man came near I reached out and touched him. After I touched him a few times, I must have won him over because they took me to their home. I still don’t know why they chose me, but I think maybe they didn’t see my crooked tail, they only saw how beautiful I am in my black and white coat and black nose. There is still another mystery that puzzles me. Why in the world did they name me Scarlett? I heard someone say that scarlet is a color like red, but I am just black and white so that doesn’t make sense. Someday maybe I’ll understand the meaning of my name.

When we got to my new home, I was quite surprised that they had two other cats. They were older and much bigger than me. I settled in as best I could but never really liked those other two cats. They seemed aloof and not very friendly. I guess they saw me as an intruder and competition for the love of the family. It was a good thing that they didn’t fight me because they were really big and I don’t think I would have handled that very well. I am a lover not a fighter.
I worked hard to gain the love of my two owners. I cuddled up to them every chance I got. People visiting the family called me a lap cat. I didn’t know what that meant either, but I think it was a good thing. I think they liked me sitting on their laps whenever the occasion presented itself.

One day everything changed. They came home with a very little person. They called it their baby. This baby had a name. They called him Hudson. Anyway, I had a very hard time with this change of circumstances. Suddenly I felt left out. Cuddling became a rare event. All their attention went for little Hudson. I finally got really mad. I had to find a way to get that little guy out of there. He took my place and didn’t even ask. All he did was cry and sometimes so loud it hurt my ears.

I made a plan. I found where he was sleeping and when he woke up and they took him out, I made my way to his bed. I pooped and peed on his pillow. Wow, when they discovered that they really got angry. That seemed to make things worse. But I just couldn’t help myself, poop and pee where my only weapons. I just had to get rid of that kid.

It wasn’t too long thereafter that some visitors came to the house and one lady took a shine to me. She really loved my cuddling and nestling into her lap. I don’t know why, but a few days later she came back. I was placed into a little contraption and whisked into a car. I was a little scared. I had no idea what was happening or where I was going. I just had no way out. I was trapped. I meowed a lot just because I couldn’t figure out what was going on.

After a long drive, the car stopped and I was taken into another house. I didn’t know what to make of it. They placed the contraption I was in on the floor and opened one end. But I was still scared stiff. I had no idea where I was and what was out there. I huddled in and waited a very long time.

I watched from my vantage point in that contraption, wondering if there were any other cats in this place. Surprisingly none showed up. After hours past, I decided that it was safe to get out and explore. After all I needed to poop and pee and needed to find food and water.

My exploration revealed that I was the only cat in the house. That was a good thing, I had no competition! My excellent nose quickly helped me find a nice clean and convenient litter box. That took care of the pooping and peeing. Now I needed to find the chow.

My nose didn’t fail me there either as I found a nice white bowl with some dry cat food. It wasn’t bad, but I sure wished these humans would give me some wet food. The water was good too and plenty of it.

With the pooping, peeing, drinking and eating out of the way, it was time to explore this new territory for some fun stuff to do. Little did I know, I was here on a test basis and if things didn’t go well, I would be shipped back to the old place with that little kid and those other two cats. I sure didn’t want that to happen. This place was really nice and I had the whole place to myself.

I cautiously explored each room and the furniture gave me the chance to do some jumping. I just love to jump up on things, the higher the better. I guess I like to show off a bit. After all I am one agile cat. And I have zero fear of heights.
I feared a bit that in one of these rooms another cat was going to surprise me. Worse yet, was there another little person hiding somewhere in this place too? But thankfully neither cat nor kid was found. The only exceptions were a few instances when I did got a brief scare from one of the cat statues placed around the house. I came around a corner and there staring me stone faced was one of those cat statues. At first they seemed to be so real, but my smart nose told me different. I was relieved, still no competition.

I really loved this place. There were so many little nooks and crannies for me to crawl into or jump onto to take my naps. I had a real paradise of sleeping spots. Sometimes, they couldn’t find me. I really got a kick out of that when it happened. I heard them frantically calling my name and just laid there for a while and had a good laugh.

The thing I really liked about this place was that there was always something new to get into or under. Umbrellas, boxes, coolers, suitcases, and who knows what they brought into my world and I got to climb in or got under and curled up into. Whenever I got into something new, the man of the house grabbed some little contraption and some how took my picture. Here’s a few of my favorites.

Cool Umbrella, note the matching colors!

The Cooler before the ice packs . . .

Found this box and laid claim to it!

As you can see, I do have a great time. I am beginning to think I could be a model for companies selling stuff for cats. I really find it fun to annoy the man of the house. He goes into his office every morning and I make it a point to get on his lap and poke his arm when he’s trying to do something on his computer.

I figure it must be fun if he does it every morning so I tried it out myself. The computer was warm and made some funning noises when I laid down on it but it didn’t last long. I don’t know why he took me off, I didn’t break anything.

Napping on the laptop, warm and cozy.

Napping on the Lounger, someone turn off the light please!

There is no loss for inventive places to grab a few winks. Just take a look at these pictures and you’ll get the idea. Napping is my favorite pastime, and I am very good at it. I can nap just about anywhere and at any time.

Man of the house with me.

I really get into this nap thing in my bed.

This is a favorite place because it’s up there.

I like altitude, just a thing with me. The higher the better for me. Another thing about this place is they leave stuff lying here and during the night when they are sleeping I get a real kick out of knocking them off and then kicking them around the house. Sometime I even get to knock them down the stairs.

Now this is as high as I can get in my special tree house. the top shelf of my tree.
It’s cool up here; I get to see stuff from here.

I snuck under the covers, shhhhh, don’t tell anyone.

I have become very creative with my napping positions. Since that is what I do most of the time, I figured I might as well make each one as unique as possible. So positioning became my daily challenge. I know I have scored a good one when the man of the house scrambles for his camera or cell phone to capture a picture of my new gymnastic position. I think he’s jealous because he can’t possibly get into these positions.

Next to napping, I love to jump onto the banister. That just drives the man of the house bonkers. I haven’t figured out why, but here are a few shots he took before ordering me down.

Here is my Banister Pose

Every morning, the man the house is first to get up. I race him down stairs and take my begging for fresh food position. He just can’t help yielding to my beautiful face as I look up to him.

I don’t need to say a word, with this look the food comes fast.

But if this doesn’t work I have this one up my sleeve.

Another favorite pastime of mine is to lay claim to anything new. In this case it’s the man of the house computer brief case.

The briefcase lying position

Lying for a few minutes on the counter, and I am on it like flies on a cow pie. I have never seen flies on cow pies, but I have heard that phrase for a similar situation. I hope I use it correctly here to get my point across.

My favorite spot on the couch. Is this what’s called a couch potato?

This is my look-out spot. I am here because every once in a while a cat shows up on the other side of that door. We look at each other, sometimes for a long time, and suddenly all hell breaks loose. I guess it’s good that there is a glass window between us.

Here are a few more pictures to show my creativity. If you ever come to visit us, I’ll be sure to grace you with a nap on your lap!

Hiding in a closet, door was left open, inviting to me!

The only problem lying on the bed is it’s so big, choosing the right spot can be daunting.

This is s big box, so I just couldn’t resist exploration.

Well dear readers, that’s my story. I hope it gives you a look into the life of a cat. I really have a great life. I offer you one last little tidbit before I sign off. The man of the house just goes crazy when I jump up onto the bathroom sink. The reason is he sees me eyeing the ledge of the shower wall. I love to jump up there and it really annoys the heck out of him. So in order to counter my temptation, he fires up this little gadget he has on his night table. Suddenly there’s this bright little red spot on the floor. I go crazy chasing it as it flits around the bedroom floor. I still can’t figure out why I can’t seem to catch it.

Thanks for reading my story!

Sincerely,
Scarlett

Miranda Eve ~ A Voice from the Past

On the morning of May 19, 2016 my dear friend Elissa Davey, founder of Garden of Innocence, received an unusual request. A lady living in San Francisco was having her house remodeled. The construction company needed to remove a slab of concrete from the floor of her garage. The broken slab uncovered a unique casket containing the body of a young child. The casket had been there since the late 1800’s. Elissa was contacted because the local coroner’s office knew of Garden of Innocence and the work they do burying abandoned and unidentified babies (www.gardenofinnocence.org). They trusted that the situation this discovery posed to the homeowner could best be resolved by Garden of Innocence.

In order to realize the gravity of the situation, some history needs to be understood. San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century was growing at such a rate that land was at a premium. The city fathers decided that all cemeteries within the city needed to be removed to make room for houses. It was reported that their justification for such an extreme measure came from the fact that some cemeteries were not being cared for and people were using them as a “lover’s lane.”

Sometime around 1920, nearly half a million bodies were exhumed and placed in mass burial sites in a number of cemeteries in Colma, a small town just south of San Francisco. It became obvious that some of those interred so many years ago in San Francisco were left behind.

With the unexpected discovery during excavation, the homeowner was faced with a real dilemma with this casket and the child’s body it contained. It was lying in the open in her backyard. She discovered that reburial was going to be very expensive, one quote being $7,000. She was told by the authorities that she couldn’t just bury the casket again without a death certificate. That posed an impossible situation. How could she get a death certificate for someone without a name or date of death? Added to that issue was the fact that the homeowner was living out of the state while her home was being remodeled. It was a logistical and financial nightmare. More investigation at the suggestion of the authorities revealed a quote in excess of $20,000. The situation looked very grim. That is when Elissa was contacted.

In spite of the fact that this was not an abandoned baby, when Elissa was apprised of the situation she decided that Garden of Innocence had to step up and step in to rescue this child and provide her a dignified reburial. Now Elissa’s work began in earnest. She was not one to worry and fret over difficult challenges. As is her nature, she jumped in and got to work with the belief she could and so she did!

The casket was unusual in that it was metallic and hermetically sealed. The child it contained was obviously from a wealthy family able to afford such an elaborate casket. It had two glass windows and the little girl of about three to four years of age could be seen through them. She was perfectly preserved. Her blond hair was laced with lavender and she held a rose in her hand.

Unfortunately, the coroner broke the seal of the casket and the child’s body began to decompose. The positive result was that Jelmer Eerkens, Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis and one of Elissa’s team of investigators, was enabled to retrieve samples of her hair for DNA testing. It was hopefully a door to attain her true identification. We hoped we could find who she was and learn her name.

Elissa’s first challenge was to secure the casket that lay in the lady’s backyard. No authorities would take it as it wasn’t in their jurisdiction. But if its discovery were to hit the news, there was no telling what would happen to it. Elissa contacted our Garden of Innocence director in Fresno and he drove to San Francisco, secured the casket and brought it to Fresno until the reburial could be planned. Research and discussions were still ahead.

There was a lot of work to be done. The San Francisco Public Administrator, Michelle Lewis asked Elissa if she could name the baby Eve. Later, Elissa thought that the home owner, Ericka Karmer should name her as the baby had been a spirit in her home all this time. When Elissa approached her, Ericka asked her four and six year old daughters what the baby should be named. They named her Miranda. And so she became known as Miranda Eve.

Elissa engaged a number of volunteers to search the available records in an attempt to find the girl’s true identity. It was determined from the early research that she was interred in what was the Odd Fellows cemetery. It was also determined that most of the remains from that cemetery were moved to Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Elissa and her team of volunteers made significant progress. They determined that rules existed that allowed for Miranda’s burial without a death certificate. They were able to get Greenlawn Memorial Park to donate a plot for Miranda’s internment. They found a grave stone company , The Headstone Guys of Fresno, to donate Miranda’s head stone of unique beauty.

Elissa had relatives who owned a cabinet shop. Together with them, a beautiful wooden casket designed to match the design of Miranda’s casket was fabricated during a seventeen hour marathon effort. The casket had to be a custom casket to hold Miranda and her special original metal casket.

On Sunday May 29, Elissa and her team had made sufficient progress to announce that Baby Miranda Eve would be laid to rest at 10 AM on June 9th in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1100 El Camino Real, in Colma, California. This was deemed most appropriate due to the understanding that most of the bodies from the old Odd Fellows Cemetery were taken here. It was believed that Miranda’s parents most likely were buried at Greenlawn.

Elissa and her supporters went to work to complete the final details normally a part of Garden of Innocence burials. These included flowers, rose petals, a poem, the Knights of Columbus and the minister to present a sermon.

On Friday June 3rd, at about ten o’clock in the morning my phone rang. My wife answered the phone and walked into my office and said, “Allan, its Elissa Davey.”
I had forgotten the date of Miranda’s funeral so I did not have any idea why Elissa was calling. I answered the phone and Elissa asked me, “Are you available this coming Saturday, June 9th ?”

I said, “Elissa, I am sorry but Carol and I will be in San Jose to celebrate our son’s second restaurant’s grand opening on Thursday. We didn’t plan on coming home until late Saturday. Why do you ask?”

Elissa almost cried and said, “Wow! Thank God, you will be there! I wanted to ask if you would officiate with the sermon at Miranda’s funeral service.”

I said, “Oh Elissa, I would be honored!”

Elissa breathed a sigh of relief, as the last part of the program had just come together. She had been running full speed for weeks getting all of the unique issues surrounding Miranda’s reburial resolved and finalized.

That Friday night I prayed for an inspiration for the sermon for Miranda. The next morning I sat at my computer and wrote the sermon outline from the inspiring thoughts that came to me during the night in response to my prayers.

The Bible text that formed the foundation of the sermon was Philippians 4:7-8 (New King James Version-NKJV)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I collected my thoughts and decided to investigate the meaning of the name Miranda. I was touched when I read that Miranda means “Worthy of Admiration, Wonderful”. I immediately made the connection to the word “praiseworthy” in the Bible text.

This Bible text guide offered inspiration to admire this child and her soul that lives on. This thought opened my heart to two more bible verses:

Song of Solomon 6:8-9 The Message Bible (MSG)
There’s no one like her on earth, never has been, never will be.
She’s a child (woman) beyond compare. My dove is perfection,
Pure and innocent as the day she was born, and cradled in joy by her mother. Everyone who came by to see her exclaimed and admired her— All the fathers and mothers, the neighbors and friends, blessed and praised her.

Proverbs 31:30-31 The Message Bible (MSG)
The girl (woman) to be admired and praised is the girl (woman) who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

The sermon content was quickly flowing from my mind onto the page. I finished the sermon outline and reread it numerous times prior to leaving for San Jose.

The following Wednesday Carol and I flew to San Jose for our personal festivities. Along the way I received an email from Elissa stating that she remembered one last detail. Normally we place a small doll in the grave for a baby girl. She said how nice it would be if we could find a period doll from the 1980’s for Miranda. I recalled that there was an antique doll shop just next door to our son’s restaurant in Campbell.

When we arrived at Randy’s Campbell restaurant Wednesday afternoon, I went next door to the Twice Nice Doll Shop. I spoke to the proprietor, Bonnie, and related Miranda’s story. Then I told her about our Garden of Innocence and what we had planned for Saturday in Colima. I told her that we normally placed a doll in the grave of our baby girls. I made a proposal. I asked if she would be able to find it in her heart to donate a small doll of the late 1800 period for Miranda.

I said, “Don’t make your decision now. Here is my Garden of Innocence card, check out our website and I’ll get back to you for your decision. We appreciate anything you can do for Miranda.”

On Friday afternoon I phoned Bonnie at the doll shop. Before I could ask, Bonnie said, “I went to your website and found the wonderful work you do. I have found a doll. She isn’t of that period but she has a bright red period dress. I gladly donate it for Miranda.”

I was thrilled and later that day went to the doll shop to pick up Miranda’s doll. It was perfect. I expressed my sincere gratitude to Bonnie for her joyful generosity and prepared to bring it along with us the next morning.

On Saturday morning, Carol and I drove the forty miles from San Jose to Colima. We arrived at Greenlawn Memorial Park around nine in the morning. The Knights of Columbus were arriving and all the details were coming together. Slowly people began arriving to witness this unusual event.

I placed the doll at the edge of the green carpet that was covering the grave for Miranda. A swarm of professional photographers hovered around every photo opportunity. Some were independent while others were affiliated with various news media. It was sort of comical watching them getting into some awkward contortions to get just the right angle of view for picturing the little doll in her bright red dress.

The beautiful heart shaped gravestone was placed off to the side waiting to be placed over the grave after the ceremony was completed. Usually, only the face of the gravestone is polished, but in this case, both sides were polished in hopes that her real name would one day be found. That way her real name could eventually be engraved on the stone.

Prior to the sermon a poem written especially for Miranda was read with deep and sincere emotion by its author, Kevin Fischer-Paulson. The sentiment that flowed as Kevin read his poem embraced the assembled audience as the words created touching images and feelings.

MIRANDA

A California Sister comes to rest
At Land’s End, before the Pacific sea.
Dusk and orange forewings to the west.

A pause, a flutter as antennae test
The fog that circles the serpentine lea.
A California sister comes to rest

The ocean rushes, brushes her perch, crests
But cannot touch her who is free,
Dusk and orange forewings to the west.

The sun drops through the sky, this zest
of rock who stays, of wave who flees
A California Sister comes to rest

Eucalyptus wreaths, lavenders pressed
Against a child sleeping, a silent she,
Dusk and orange forewings to the west.

There is not one moment that is not blessed.
The wind we feel, we here but cannot see
A California Sister comes to rest.

Kevin Fisher-Paulson

During the sermon, I noted that some might question why we were doing all this for a baby we did not know and who had obviously been given a dignified Christian burial more than a hundred years ago. I proposed that it was the wrong question to ask.

I said, “Rather we ought to ask, ‘Why has Miranda Eve come into my life today?’”

I offered one possible answer to that question.

I said, “Perchance Miranda’s message for us today is: remember your ancestors who have long ago passed on, and honor them for what they passed on to you that has over generations made you who you are today.”

Over a hundred people were in attendance. Many from the Odd Fellows, others who had heard of Miranda from the media, many media professionals from television stations and newspapers and Garden of Innocence volunteers from Fresno, San Francisco and San Diego.

Since then, many hours have been invested by interested people around the globe to find answers to the question, “Just who is this child?” This effort continues.

One of Elissa’s cousins is an artist, and based on the available photos recreated this image of baby Miranda.

Recently, an eighty two year old descendant of Miranda was found. He was excited to provide a sample of his DNA for further testing. It is hoped that this will open the way for some definitive information regarding Miranda’s true identity.

Turning Point

This experience was for me another profound indication of God’s love for all souls. It was another inspiration to never forget my forebears who by their life gave me mine. Once again, the Services for the Departed in our church took on yet another dimension.

NOTE: Elissa Davey and her growing team of expert volunteers are working to determine Miranda’s identity. Donations to support this effort and Garden of Innocence and their noble work to care for the dignified burial of abandoned and unidentified babies are welcome. Go to www.gardenofinnocence.org for ways to donate and support our Gardens. News of the ongoing efforts to find Miranda’s true identity will be reported on Garden of Innocence website. You can follow the story of Miranda Eve by Googling her name and engaging the many links to published stories and videos. After a year of intense research Miranda’s true identity was discovered. She was Edith Howard Cook, and the continuing story will be presented in a new post.

NOTE: January 27, 2024 The researchers that were engaged in the work to find Edith Howard Cook’s true identity were part of a fascinating PODCAST that is worth listening to if Edith has touched you as she has me.

Shadow Clock | Episode 6 – “Child”

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1X9iKPdFTfavVlSqNMJOn5?si=578SvyczScSYPq_v5prYwQ

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shadow-clock/id1713030117?i=1000642619024

www.shadow-clock.com