CathyM .......  Posted by Juanita on 10/13/2004, 7:04 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" Your life is a living legacy to all who knew you. You could have given up while still young and untried, yet, you fought to have a life and all the joys that come with it. You found your life's mate, and also your beloved son. People who knew of your disease were amazed. Yet, you were determined to make the most of years you were given. You gave liberally of your love and concern for others and for all the creatures of the earth. You have left a footprint here below, Cathy, a footprint of what love and determination can do within the human heart. You left us, not sorry for your hard fight, but with joy to have overcome long enough to live life to its' fullest. You have begun a new journey now, and it will be filled with new wonders and new joys, but no longer will you need to fight for breath. Soar to the very heights, dear Cathy, soar and feel the wind beneath your wings, and know that your life touched so many, many lives.

We will miss you CathyM!!!!  Posted by Ellen in Maine, ph admin on 10/13/2004, 7:56 am,in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" It was too hard to believe when I got the news last night. You have beaten the odds so long - I thought, hoped, wanted to believe you would do it again. You have been an inspiration to me - from the very first time we "met" back in early 2001. You took the time to email me about something while you were on your way for a tune-up. You always thought of others first. It will take some time to grasp that such a wonderful person is not just an email or post away any more. But I know you are free from all your physical body had to deal with. You will continue to inspire all that knew you and you will live on. And I hope your family and friends will be comforted by how loved you have been and how much we will all miss you!!! Ellen

Here's some great CathyM stuff!! Posted by cathy in auz, perch host on 10/13/2004, 8:08 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" Big Birds Butt bath - can you look at these without having a giggle! http://loveofbirds.com/memorial/cathym/BigBirdBath.htm And remember the days she loved to spend on the houseboat on the lake and seeing the wild turkey http://loveofbirds.com/memorial/cathym/Wildturkey1.htm Monet checking out her new toy!! http://loveofbirds.com/memorial/cathym/MonetNewToy.htm She loved the hummingbirds so much she made me up a video of them and sent them over here to Auz. But these are shared with everyone. http://loveofbirds.com/memorial/cathym/hummingbirds.htm Enjoy!!!!!!

What a wonderful way to remember a very special person  Posted by Beth, perch host on 10/13/2004, 8:19 am, in reply to "Here's some great CathyM stuff!!" CathyM, you have a beautiful soul, no matter what your physical body put you thru, you stayed beautiful. May you no longer struggle to breath, may you fly free. Love always, Beth

Picture One More Time  Posted by Jo Gall on 10/13/2004, 8:20 am, in reply to "Here's some great CathyM stuff!!" Here is our beautiful Cathy I believe just last year Please join with me in knowing that when I left my visit with Cathy not too long ago I gave her a big kiss from TPP and that she took with her. Love ya Cath! Fly free and give all our fids over that bridge a great big scritch.

Re: CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings   Posted by Sara on 10/13/2004, 8:20 am,in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" I'm at a loss for words now, but all I can say is that we all love and miss you! Sara

Dearest CathyM...  Posted by Joy in NH, perch host on 10/13/2004, 8:30 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" We will miss you, and remember you with love. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our lives. I feel blessed to have known you Hugs to all.

Ohhh! Posted by Vickie on 10/13/2004, 8:35 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" I was so hoping she'd come back soon. God be with her and her family. I will continue to send many prayers their way.

Giving even toward the end Posted by Jan in MD, perch host on 10/13/2004, 9:23 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" My good friend Bianca had her then 18 month old son recently diagnosed with CF and was just devastated. She had tried for many, many years to conceive and was blessed to have a daughter and then shortly thereafter, had her son. A true miracle! I had asked CathyM if she would be so kind as to speak to Bianca and answer some of her questions as to what life held for their family with this in their lives. Of course she agreed. While in the hospital, they had hour long talks and they laughed and afterward, Bianca's heart was at peace. Even in her fight against the issues of the devastating situation, CathyM was unselfish and giving. This is what we all will remember about our friend. Her giving and loving heart.

A beautiful story. Posted by Vickie on 10/13/2004, 9:43 am, in reply to "Giving even toward the end" Thanks so much for sharing.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. But others come, leave footprints in our hearts... Posted by Harvest, perch host on 10/13/2004, 9:27 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" and we are never the same. (Flavia) CathyM, what a bittersweet moment knowing that you are at last flying free. I see those foot prints you've made in my heart and I know that no one else's feet can ever replace those tracks, nor would I want them to. Your gifts of love and generosity and continuing spirit shine so brightly... You lived gently and touched every soul that came across your way with sweetness. Such gifts to the world are always missed when gone. Your heart always amazes me. Your great, big, all encompassing heart. The same one that allowed you to speak comfort to me even as you lay in a hospital bed. Oh how you shine. Thank you for being in my life. The world is a little more dim today. But I believe that tonight when I look up at the stars I'll find a twinkle and know that you still are here. With all my love...

yes it is Posted by Tammy on 10/13/2004, 10:38 am, in reply to "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. But others come, leave footprints in our hearts..." an odd sensation.....I am so sad to know that Cathy is gone, I will miss her cheery posts and stories about her sweet fids.... yet I know she is feeling better now, not struggling to breathe..... OH Cathy, you were the sweetest nicest person, always concerned about my little Isaac and Peri.... I jsut don't now what to say.....my thoughts and prayers are with your family.........and take care of all the birdies at the bridges, I know you are......

I'm sorry Posted by GG on 10/13/2004, 4:21 pm, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" I didn't really "know" Cathy, but I know all of you were friends with her and I'm sorry for your loss ~GG and Rainbow~

CathyM.. Posted by Beckie on 10/13/2004, 4:41 pm, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" Fly high Cathy, you will be missed, remembered & loved by all here. I'm so terribly sorry to hear of this

I'll miss you Cathy. Posted by Allison on 10/13/2004, 6:06 pm, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" I really will. My sympathy's to all her families and friends and to those whose live's she touched.

Yes, swift journey, friend. Posted by Buffet Umbitoo on 10/14/2004, 6:17 am, in reply to "CathyM - Rafferty and Elpee wish you a wonderful flight on unclipped wings" You will be so very very missed, and always remembered. Know you helped make a difference in so many lives, both with and without feathers.

I just wanted to say Posted by Marlo on 10/13/2004, 10:28 am I read of Cathy's passing early this morning. It kind of knocked the wind out of me so I signed off without posting. Since then I have been thinking about how lucky I am to have the support system we all have in this group. I don't know a lot of you well but I share your joy and pain right along with you. I am surprised on a regular basis how close I feel to people I have never met and most likely never will meet. I never thought I would find what I did by searching the web. I was looking for a tiel breeder and to learn how to properly care for my bird. What I found was a great group of people to share my love of birds. On TAT a few months before I got Ollie I met Clare. Clare has since become a treasured friend. She directed me to this site. Here I found a group of people who are friendly, kind, supportive, encouraging, and sometimes silly. I just want to say to all of you, thank you. Thank you for being there for each other when needed, for giving a smile and laugh to brighten the day, for being tough when it is called for and for sharing your knowledge and experience. I have looked around at a bunch of different message boards but I am always thankful to be able to come back here. I think sometimes it is easy to take things for granted. Losing Cathy, although I didn't know her well, has made me realize how much this site and the people here mean to me. Ellen you and the other perch hosts (past and present) do a great job and keeping this site going the way you do. Keep up the great work. Ok I'll stop rambling now. Marlo

Very well said Posted by Vickie on 10/13/2004, 10:33 am, in reply to "I just wanted to say " and I completely agree.

Can I Posted by Tammy on 10/13/2004, 10:42 am, in reply to "Very well said" "third" it??? you all even have put up with one of my big temper tantrums.... (sorry, sometimes we all just let off steam) it's a great bunch of people at this perch!

For Cathy M Posted by no names on 10/13/2004, 10:55 am Although I didn't know you much And we never really spoke a word It's plain to see the lives you touched And that your voice was clearly heard. I honestly don't know what to say When I read through all these pages As I learn about your life today I saw that you were so courageous. It's sad how we take others for granted How we pretend that forever will last Then news leaves us feeling empty handed When we hear of a friend who has passed. You showed us all that life can start With the spirit you have inside Add an ounce from within your heart And then you stir it all up with pride. We learn a little more each day So don't ever think that you'll be gone We take what we've learned along the way And with hope we all try to carry on. You may be gone but we'll never forget Will you please say a prayer for me? We look back on life and never regret Because you'll live long in our memory. rest in peace, Cathy M

Thank you... Posted by Skybird on 10/13/2004, 11:04 am, in reply to "For Cathy M" sorrow is hard to put into words, but you've encaptured sorrow and courage in your poem.

I feel as if I lost a family member of my own ... Posted by Cathy and the girls on 10/13/2004, 11:44 am, in reply to "Thank you..." each time someone leaves us here on the board. But thank God Cathy wasn't suffering horribly.:'( Tears in my eyes, Cathy and the girls

Thank you for such beautiful and heartfelt words of love. Posted by Juanita on 10/13/2004, 1:13 pm, in reply to "For Cathy M" It is strange for "outsiders" to understand the depth of feeling we come to have for our friends on the internet, especially when we share a common love, our birds. My grief when one of our number leaves is no less than a friend across the street. Sometimes, I actually feel closer to those on the net whom I have never met in person, than with those with whom I share my life all the time. Somehow, not being face-to-face, we reach deeper into ourselves so that the person on the other end can truly understand us. I have friends here who have touched me so deeply and whom I love so much, like Cathy, that is hard to believe we will never see that post again. Yet, Cathy, along with others who have gone before us, live on in my heart every day. That is the wonderful thing about love. Again, thank you for those beautiful words and feelings.

That is very beautiful - thank you np Posted by cathy in auz, perch host on 10/13/2004, 4:05 pm, in reply to "For Cathy M" np

Some words I wrote in 2001 not knowing they were for Cathy....... Posted by Juanita on 10/13/2004, 12:58 pm LIFE IS A GIFT Life is a gift with beginning and end Its' secret contained in how we will spend Our time here on earth whether happy or sad Is here in our hearts be it good or bad What do we choose, how should we feel As life ever changes and with pain we must deal Do we turn bitter and blame everyone When our hearts are broken with no place to run Or do we accept both the joy and the pain Of losses and loves and experience gain Do we harden our hearts and refuse to care Or accept our trials and others' burdens to share Whether our time here is short, or be it long Life should be both weak and strong As we are forged by the Master's hand Into a vessel that is worthy to stand Tall and proud and able to say I changed a life as I walked this way My footsteps will fade and time will forget But the good I have left I'll never regret For life is a gift with beginning and end Its' gift is contained in the time we will spend. Cathy, your time was well spent and you enjoyed this gift of life with all your heart.

That's beautiful, Juanita  Posted by GG on 10/13/2004, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Some words I wrote in 2001 not knowing they were for Cathy....... " I just love your poems. That one is very inspirational to me, and as always, very beautiful. ~GG~

That is most definitely about Cathy Posted by cathy in auz, perch host on 10/13/2004, 4:42 pm, in reply to "Some words I wrote in 2001 not knowing they were for Cathy....... " She had joy not sorrow for life.

I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M....... Posted by Betty in Texas on 10/13/2004, 1:56 pm She was indeed a very special person and will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers go to her family and all her friends. Betty

I also am very sorry to hear about Cathy. Posted by chris on 10/13/2004, 2:26 pm, in reply to "I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." I have been out of town since the 6th and have missed alot but this is truly sad. I will miss her sense of humor and her caring way. My thoughts are with her family at this time of loss.

oh.. Posted by BiscuitKeet&Kristen on 10/13/2004, 2:43 pm, in reply to "I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." Not being a board regular, I didn't "know" her, but she was very nice. Biscuit and I offer our sympathies

oh my Posted by pat on 10/13/2004, 3:36 pm, in reply to "I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." how sorry I am to hear about Cathy's passing. Not being a good friend and knowing her very long, I still feel her loss. She seems to have been such an inspiration for CF. Sounds like she gave many others a hope for life. I to will miss seeing her name in the messages.

Re: I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M....... Posted by Mj on 10/13/2004, 4:57 pm, in reply to "I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." sending warm thoughts and lots of prayers in this time of sadness she will be deeply missed ...Love & blessing Mj

CathyM... Posted by Andrea in NY on 10/13/2004, 6:01 pm, in reply to " I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." As so many of us here, I had been hoping and wishing for yet another miraculous recovery. But knowing that she wanted to be remembered with happiness and joy, not in sadness makes me think how much joy she had in her life and how openly she shared that joy with everyone. Little things matter very much in this life, and we should never forget that. Everyone should give their family and fids a little extra love today and just appreciate the special bonds you have in life. My condolances go out to everyone who knew Cathy, whether intimately or just casually, we have lost a wonderful woman. Andrea

Re: I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M....... Posted by Lillian Brady on 10/13/2004, 6:21 pm, in reply to "I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." Our prayers are with CathyM's family during their time of grief.

my Prayers and condolences to Cathy M's family & friends.. np Posted by kay & Topaz on 10/13/2004, 9:32 pm, in reply to "I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Cathy M......." :'(

Turkeys for CathyM Posted by Beth, perch host on 10/13/2004, 2:01 pm Driving home from Physical Therapy today, I felt sad and alone, I was thinking about Cathy, her family and her beloved birds. Then I saw a field with around 50 wild turkey hens! I couldn't belelive it!!! I have never seen so many turkeys at one time. It had to be Cathy telling me to cheer up. Life is beautiful. I pulled over, watched them for a while, and continued home. Thank you Cathy, for teaching us how beautiful life can be.

oh, too cool!! Posted by Skybird on 10/13/2004, 2:22 pm, in reply to "Turkeys for CathyM " LOL - The thought of this makes me think about Cathy and her turkey photos and when they first went up on the board!! I thought how amazing it was that she was able to capture them on camera. Of course it also made me giggle because Ellen mentioned how wild turkeys used to wait for her to come out of her house to chase her.

That's great.  Posted by cathy in auz, perch host on 10/13/2004, 4:40 pm, in reply to "Turkeys for CathyM " I somehow think we're all going to have someone pushing us over to the side of the road, forcing us to see life with different eyes now.

Susan/Wingie Posted by Beckie on 10/13/2004, 4:53 pm Susan, I know that CathyM was a very special friend of yours & I just wanted to say how truly sorry I am for her loss We will all miss her here at PP but I know that you will feel her loss very hard. Hugs & thoughts coming your way from the UK. And Also to CathyM`s family & other friends. This world suffers a great loss in her passing to the next

Sending all our Prayers out to CathyM's family God Bless!  Posted by PreciousFids Board on 10/13/2004, 5:01 pm here at PreciousFids we what let to offer our deepest sympathy to all Cathy family & friends very warm thought & prayers ...God Bless her an let her soul soar..

Its late at night here, and Posted by Midge on 10/13/2004, 7:04 pm I'm sat at my computer remembering some of Cathy's posts, I'm so sad that we will not see them again, but so happy that Cathy made so much of her life, she knew the joys of being a wife and a mother, she knew how precious life itself is, and she leaves this earth behind knowing how loved and respected she was by so many people, I send my prayers up for Cathy's family, that her spirit gets them thru the sad days of loss, and a celebration prayer of thanks for the person she was. I am remembering a vicar whose eulogy for a child i knew, put death firmly in perspective, As we stand on a dock and watch a loved one aboard a ship going on a journey, we wave til they are out of sight, and at their destination, someone waits to welcome them, as they sail away from us, we can no longer see them, but it doesn't mean they have left us, in our hearts they remain, and we know that loved ones have welcomed them at the end of their journey, so Cathy, safe journey, you stay in my heart, God bless and keep you safe, Midge and flock

What beautiful and comforting imagery Posted by Ellen in Maine, ph admin on 10/13/2004, 7:18 pm, in reply to "Its late at night here, and" What a wonderful way to think of this right now. Thank you! Ellen

Yes, I agree Posted by Beth, perch host on 10/13/2004, 7:57 pm,in reply to "What beautiful and comforting imagery" a beautiful image came to mind!

Thank You Midge Posted by Satibape, perch host on 10/13/2004, 8:04 pm, in reply to "Its late at night here, and" The priest at my church told this story also when my fiancé had passed away back in 1988. Thank you for reminding me of the comfort I got from that. ~Sati~

Beautiful imagery Posted by cathy in auz, perch host on 10/14/2004, 4:32 am, in reply to "Its late at night here, and" I took some solace from that Midge - thank you.

Oh boy - that really did it for me. Posted by Sharon, perch host on 10/14/2004, 12:41 pm, in reply to "Its late at night here, and" I know CathyM is in a better place however my heart is aching for her family and friends who will be watched over by her loving presence but missing her terribly. Thanks for the wonderful picture in my mind's eye Midge. And I know she is also visiting with all of our feathered and furred kids who are up there waiting for us.

Monet - Princess of Wales Parakeet