Circle of Souls

Eugene Neil Stanton was born September 9, 1944 to Marie and William Stanton in Ogdensburg, a small picturesque town in upstate New York.  He was a beautiful, healthy baby boy who from the very beginning of his life had a sensitivity to his environment seldom seen in one so young.  When his mother would walk him in his stroller along the sidewalk or through the park, little Gene would gaze up at the tree tops and utter a sigh of appreciation for life and the obvious reality of his surroundings.  Marie would always have to stop along the way to view a flower blossoming or a bird perching on a bath to take a precious sip of water.  If a person’s pet happened to come into view, Gene would carry on until Marie let him get up close so he could “touch doggie.”

He also was a gentle child.  He seemed to know that animals needed a special way of communicating with humans.  He realized that he was different from them but at the same time he could understand what they needed.  If a dog was acting aggressively, he never reached out towards it but watched intently until the animal became calmer or passed by.

By the same token, people who passed by Gene had to stop and compliment Marie on such a beautiful baby.  Invariably, his chin was tweaked or cheek was squeezed.  He loved it; never seeming to shy away from attention.  Marie would think to herself, “This child will grow up to be important to people and animals.  I have been truly blessed.”

One day when Gene was about six years old he was playing in the backyard of his home.  A big, fat, black and white cat entered the yard, squeezing herself through the slats of the wooden gate as if she knew this was a safe place to be.  Catching Gene’s eye, the cat laid down on the lawn and began to pant heavily.  Without thinking, Gene got up and went over to the obviously distressed animal and laid his hands on her back.  He began to pet her strongly and methodically yet not pressing too hard as to cause her any more pain.

As Marie glanced out the kitchen window she saw Gene petting the cat.  She called to her husband, “William, I think Gene’s got a new pet.”  His dad wasn’t alarmed or concerned as Gene had been attracting various animals since he was a baby.  They came and went as they wished and Gene never seemed to miss one of them once when they were gone.  He seemed to have a universal love for all animals.

Just then William heard a scream from Marie.  He jumped up and rushed into the kitchen.  The door was off it’s hinges.  When Marie had looked out seeing her little boy’s hands and arms drenched with blood, she had pushed through the screen without even reaching for the handle.  As she knelt down in front of him, searching for injuries, she saw two tiny black kittens lying in the grass beneath him.  Gene had a finger on each kitten, pumping their chest area while muttering words of comfort.  “C’mon pretty kitties, get up and see mommy.  C’mon little kitties, I’ll rub your tummy.”

Marie could not believe her eyes.  Not only was Gene assisting the mother cat to give birth but he was resuscitating the kittens as well.  She turned to the house yelling, “William, get our here!  You have got to see this.”

By the time William arrived on the scene, the first two kittens were opening their mouths and attempting to suck.  Gene was gently moving them to the mother’s stomach.  He then immediately went back to stroking the cat’s back.  When the third kitten was born, Gene tore the birth sac apart placing the new kitten close to the mother’s head and mouth to be cleaned off.

Two more kittens were subsequently born with Gene going through the same ritual.  Marie and William stood over the scene just watching in awe.  There was really nothing more to be done.  Gene was doing it all.  When the birthing was finally over he looked up at his parents and said, “Pretty kitties.”

They found a large box which they lined with towels and a comfortable small blanket.  They placed it in a warm corner of the kitchen.  Mama Kitty (this is what she would be called from this time on) stretched out exhausted but seemingly contented.  Gene cared for those kittens until they were able to eat and walk on their own.  He then carefully chose new homes for them among the neighborhood children.  But Mama Kitty stayed.  You see, she knew a good thing when she found it.

Probably the most important event in Eugene’s young life happened when he was seven.  His baby brother was born.  From the time Gene first laid eyes on him he knew somehow that they were going to best pals and that their lives were closely tied together.

James Douglas Stanton was born December 18