Ideas on what I can do for my aunt?

duchess15

duchess15

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As some of you may know...my aunt on my dad's side who I have not talked to in over 20 years has opened her heart and is giving me one of her top quality and most likely show quality kittens as a gift. The price doubles with show quality.

I am rendered speechless by her compassion and kindness. I also know from emailing her that she has no job currently and due to circumstances at work there was a settlement and that is where she is getting money from. She will run out soon and I hope she can find a job.

I feel guilty that she is giving me a bengal as a gift. I know that this is her decision, but I also know this is her only source of income at the moment. I am so blessed that she is family, but I can't sit by and not do something. I know she will never accept money from me for the bengal or for any other reason. (I have already offered).


I need some ideas of what I can do for her. I want to do something for her because she has been so kind and I can't stand by and not do something if I know someone needs help. I am just that way.

Can anyone come up with any ideas? I'm open to any suggestions. I will be flying up there next year once she and I have determined the best kitten for me.
 
MoochNNoodles

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How about send her a gift card? My Mom and I always send my Grandparent's gift cards to places like Walmart, where they can get groceries or anything they need. We've also done Lowes so they can get things for their house or garden they might want or need. Even restaurant cards are good sometimes; gives them a chance to 'treat' themselves when they might not otherwise.
 
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duchess15

duchess15

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Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

How about send her a gift card? My Mom and I always send my Grandparent's gift cards to places like Walmart, where they can get groceries or anything they need. We've also done Lowes so they can get things for their house or garden they might want or need. Even restaurant cards are good sometimes; gives them a chance to 'treat' themselves when they might not otherwise.
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That's a good idea. Maybe once I fly up there and meet her I will have a better idea of what she likes/needs.
 
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mom of 4

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When people don't want to accept gifts from anyone, the easiest way to bypass that is to give them a gift that benefits someone they care about.
Do you have any idea where she buys the bengals food? A gift card for their food or supplies is something that technicaly isn't for her, but could be a sign of appreciation and hard dto turn down.
 
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duchess15

duchess15

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Originally Posted by Mom of 4

When people don't want to accept gifts from anyone, the easiest way to bypass that is to give them a gift that benefits someone they care about.
Do you have any idea where she buys the bengals food? A gift card for their food or supplies is something that technicaly isn't for her, but could be a sign of appreciation and hard dto turn down.
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I don't know yet, but once I go up there I will find out more and do something. I want to help her indirectly so that she will not turn it down.
 
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Originally Posted by Duchess15

As some of you may know...my aunt on my dad's side who I have not talked to in over 20 years has opened her heart and is giving me one of her top quality and most likely show quality kittens as a gift. The price doubles with show quality.

I am rendered speechless by her compassion and kindness. I also know from emailing her that she has no job currently and due to circumstances at work there was a settlement and that is where she is getting money from. She will run out soon and I hope she can find a job.

I feel guilty that she is giving me a bengal as a gift. I know that this is her decision, but I also know this is her only source of income at the moment. I am so blessed that she is family, but I can't sit by and not do something. I know she will never accept money from me for the bengal or for any other reason. (I have already offered).


I need some ideas of what I can do for her. I want to do something for her because she has been so kind and I can't stand by and not do something if I know someone needs help. I am just that way.

Can anyone come up with any ideas? I'm open to any suggestions. I will be flying up there next year once she and I have determined the best kitten for me.
Click to expand...
It sounds like your aunt is giving you a gift because you haven't communicated that well in 20 years and it is time to leave that all behind. If so, maybe it is a way to be more of each other's lives and that is what she needs.

It also sounds like she might need some money. If she refuses to accept any for the kitty, I am with the others for doing things that may benefit the kitties.

So, please excuse my NY cynicism. Is your aunt giving you this show kitty in advance because the settlement is going to end soon and she might use the, "But I gave you that special kitty for free and now I need some money?"

I really hope that that is not the case. Really, I mean that. Enjoy the beautiful, lucky kitty and post pictures.
 
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duchess15

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Originally Posted by butzie

It sounds like your aunt is giving you a gift because you haven't communicated that well in 20 years and it is time to leave that all behind. If so, maybe it is a way to be more of each other's lives and that is what she needs.

It also sounds like she might need some money. If she refuses to accept any for the kitty, I am with the others for doing things that may benefit the kitties.

So, please excuse my NY cynicism. Is your aunt giving you this show kitty in advance because the settlement is going to end soon and she might use the, "But I gave you that special kitty for free and now I need some money?"

I really hope that that is not the case. Really, I mean that. Enjoy the beautiful, lucky kitty and post pictures.
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No, she only told me about her job because I asked what she did. This was already many emails after she offered the bengal. She offered on the very first email because we are family and most likely because what happened to my mom.

Besides, my dad emailed her before I ever did and she told him of that exact offer and the reason why.
 
laureen227

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if i were your aunt, i would probably appreciate a gift card to somewhere where i could buy necessities or treats - either for me or the cats - the most. if you can get one to the place where she buys cat supplies, then i'd go with that. i know from experience that my cats had to live w/a lesser quality food for a while because of financial hardships. (i even considered supermarket [9 Lives or similar] canned, but found that they ate twice as much of it as the authority - which meant i ended up saving $.10 a day. not enough to make a difference.)
 
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