By Marie-Claude Gachon, France
When a family of humans and pets face a severe challenge, the power of their combined love can create miracles. Our family came to know this truth firsthand.
My son, Gavin, isn’t able to walk far due to a rare genetic skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa. When he was very young, although he had a hard life, Gavin was quite a happy boy. He lived in the present, and the other children loved him. When he left primary school, the head teacher said in front of everyone, “Thank you, Gavin, for bringing so much happiness to the school.”
This was all about to change.
Day by day, life for my son became more challenging and very frustrating. He couldn’t play football or any sport that required putting weight on his feet. He wanted to play the guitar but couldn’t because it would have had devastating effects on his hands.
Although he no longer moved around much, he could draw and was very good at it. The three cats in our home at the time were Vanille, Twister, and Kiwi. They were our loving companions. Gavin enjoyed depicting the family cats as noble and strong. I concluded that his love story with cats must have been a very old one.
A Turn for the Worse
When he was fourteen, Gavin was given medicine for his skin that made him very depressed. He stopped taking it, but the medication had destroyed his happiness. He hated his body.
Nothing helped lift Gavin’s spirits and he became suicidal. “I never asked to be here—to be born,” he’d say angrily.
“We don’t always choose what we get,” I’d answer. “But you are a gift for all of us. I can just thank you for being the wonderful and very special you.” Little we ever said helped to cheer him.
Gavin started dressing in all black, staying in his dark room with the blinds closed, keeping the lights off, and listening to heavy-metal music. His dad and I were so worried as our son became increasingly depressed and wouldn’t talk to anybody. His schoolteachers sent him to counselors and psychologists. He refused to talk to them.
To the Rescue
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Vanille, Kiwi, and Twister took over in our darkest hour. They started following Gavin everywhere. They stayed with him. They cuddled. They loved him day and night. We saw Gavin growing closer and closer to them.
Although teenagers tend to have problems communicating with adults and can reject everyone, it’s hard to reject cats. My son could not keep Vanille’s, Kiwi’s, and Twister’s love away. Bathing in their friendship and comfort, he started to utter a few words and proper sentences. When he finally opened the blinds and let the light in his room, we knew he was on the right track again.
Throughout our son’s healing, the cats purred on. Kiwi clung to his shoulders. Twister sat on his lap. Vanille followed him around and took on the night shift.
They were with Gavin constantly, looking at him with loving eyes. They helped him. They changed him. It was amazing. They were miracle cats.
Whenever I think about this traumatic period of Gavin’s life, I feel so very grateful for these wonderful furry Souls, for their golden hearts, and for the miracle of their love for Gavin. My beautiful son wants to live his life again.
A very wonderful Story , Thank you for sharing
ECK is life
May the Blessing be
Merci pour ce touchant partage.
A beautiful story – thank you!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story about the blessings we receive from our fury friends.
I enjoyed your story, especially the happy ending. I must admit I am a known cat lover. My cat is always near me, watching me visiting with me. I know first hand what a nice gift a wonderful pet can be. Thanks again for sharing your story. Sincerely.
C’est une belle rencontre d’amour dans un moment si difficile que Gavin , avait bésoin , pour sa guérison et son développement spirituel , Baraka Bashad
Thank you for sharing your love story with me. I am inspired by you. It takes incredible love and patience to take care of a child with limitations. You kept your heart and eyes open during adversity to see the divine nature of your cats and the love pouring through them. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this wonderful story. Baraka Bashad.
Such an inspiring story of love. Thank you so much for sharing an incredibly difficult time for Gavin and your family. “There is always a way” comes to mind. I’ve come to accept that the Creator’s love is always present. Our ability to accept this unconditional love is the key. May the blessings be.
Dear Maria-Claude,
Your experience with your son and your family cats is wonderful! Having grown up on a farm, I automatically had respect and a love for animals. They ARE Soul! Their love cannot be ignored! They also are very smart…sometimes smarter, I think, than people are! Thank you for sharing the love of the cats, your son’s strength and courage, and your loving concern!
Baraka Bashad.
Love,
Kathryn
That is a beautiful experience. l wish all to have lovely little companies around as we have them 2 years and they made our life full of joy .
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story of parents unconditional love and cats working their magic as vehicles of love!
Merci Marie-Claude pour ta touchante histoire. Baraka Bashad.