new life

I was out in the back yard this afternoon photographing our Magnolia Little Gem with its new flowers. We planted the tree two and a bit years ago as part of the funeral for my first daughter, Millie (Millicent), who was stillborn. She just suddenly stopped moving a 33 weeks gestation - we don't know why.



While I was taking my photographs I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye and guess what? We've got kittens!!! Pretty good for a family that doesn't even have a cat. They are very shy but I have spied five so far - four white and one black, all with orange splotches. So cute!



The funny thing is, Millie was due around Australia Day. And the first Australia Day weekend after she died, a stray rooster wandered into our yard and decided to stay. My partner thought it was a sign of new life for us, so the rooster is still with us, now with a fully enclosed coop, house and even three hens! Here's hoping that we get to keep the kittens too!