An Important Message I'd Like You All to Read.. :)

I wanted to first apologize for yet again being so behind on keeping up with messages... I know a lot of you are waiting on replies, notes, and I know there's some GORGEOUS art that I need to comment on as well. I have one week from now until my move and I've been working like crazy, trying to get enough money together, packing, and planning...

However, I do have VERY exciting news and a little important message to share...

This past Sunday, August 18th, I received a call from a man saying he thought he had found my beloved missing cockatiel, Skye. I've had quite a few of these since I lost her, especially since I was offering $1,200 for her safe return (That might seem like a "waste of money" to some --especially since I'm struggling financially, but to anyone who knows how important she is to me, you'd know I would give EVERYTHING I own to have her back if I could). Anyhow, the man offered to bring the bird by so I could take a look. He was a homeless man, so my first thoughts jumped to judgement, thinking he may have simply bought another cockatiel so he could claim my reward money. However after meeting him and talking a bit, I could tell he had a sincere heart of gold and has simple struggled a lot during his life, which left him homeless (rather than most of the 'homeless' people around my area -- who simply choose to spend their money on cocaine, leaving them homeless).

He showed me the bird. It looked just like Skye. Same silly little bald patch under her crest. Same broken tail as usual. Same yellow splotches on her feathers. Same beautiful, stunning blue eyes. The bird was very dirty, and you could tell it had been out for quite some time. I offered my hand, and it stepped up happily. I brought it closer to my face so I could take a better look. Immediately, she shoved her face into my cheek. That's when I knew right away, he had found my sweet little angel, after being lost for a total of 94 days -- 3 months and 2 days. 

Ever since the horrible day of May 16th, when I lost her, I spent hours on end searching, calling, crying, praying, hoping, pleading. SO many people helped me, SO many strangers sent me messages of hope, so many people, SO many people cared. It completely renewed my faith in human kind. There are so many kind people out there that would give anything to help someone going through such desperation and sorrow. Complete strangers came all the way out to search for her with me. Some would sight her and tell me immediately. Some found her feathers in the forest and brought them to me. It was simply AMAZING how much people truly cared and prayed for her safe return with me.

And although I had been losing hope of ever seeing her sweet, loving face ever again, which was becoming seemingly impossible, she returned to me. She returned to me when I needed her the most. To be quite honest, with all going on in my personal life over the past few months, my depression had become severe to the point where I was finally about to just give up. Nothing in my life was positive any longer, I had lost everything that meant anything to me, and with the condition of my physical and mental health, it just didn't seem like it was worth it anymore. And just like the angel she's always been, she returned to me when I truly needed her the most. I'm happy to say she's perched on my shoulder as I write this. Snuggled up to me like the good old days. It still all seems so surreal, but I could not be more grateful. My life has meaning again, and with my little yellow guardian angel back in my arms, I know I can make it through this.

I just wanted to share this, along with the way I've been truly feeling. Please don't ever give up hope, when it comes to anything. Whether it's trying to find your lost pet like I went through, trying to get your dream job, following your passions, getting through a VERY hard situation in your life, or simply just trying to hold on and not give up. If there's anything I learned from all this, it's that miracles DO happen, and persistince always pays off... even if it feels like it's not going to. Even if it feels impossible. Even if you think it will never happen. Even if you've tried SO hard with NO results yet. Never, ever give up. Because if I had given up, I wouldn't have my sweet little Skye back in my arms today. I certainly was at the point of thinking it just wasn't worth it any more, but she means the world to me so I forced myself to keep trying. And I am so grateful that I did. So please just remember, no matter what situation you're going through, or what you're trying to achieve, never ever lose hope. NOTHING is impossible, and this proves it. Just some words I wanted to share, since I'm learning this for the first time, myself. Trust me. It's worth it to keep hoping and trying. Always.

Talk soon, my dears.

Love, Crystal & Skye. <3