Mamma marked one year in this blog post.
This year, she is letting me do the writing.
On (what turned out to be) Stray Cat's last day, I kept him company in the sun room while mamma was at work. She came home early to finish her work day from home. We followed her into the dining room, and stayed with her while she worked. My big brother's breathing was labored, and mamma got very concerned that he had too much fluid on his lungs.
She took him to the animal hospital for another chest-tap so they could remove that fluid in hopes he would feel better. She seemed a bit frantic, and very sad. She reassured me they would both be home soon.
Two hours later mamma returned with Stray's empty carrier. She was sobbing so hard I did not know what to do to help her.
Since that day, Stray Cat has never returned home. I felt depressed that Stray Cat wasn't home anymore, and I did not really understand why - but the answers to all of my questions were not as important as making sure mamma got up in the morning and to not leave her alone when she would cry. Naturally, I did my best to give mamma more affection, and pay more attention to her needs.
I did not know what to make of all of this. I still don't. The emptiness we both still feel and the new silence that is ever so present in our home because of Stray Cat's absence.
Stray was a good big brother to me. As soon as I arrived, he treated me like a baby sister and took me under his paw and showed me the ropes of life in Florida.
January 26 will always be for us. Eight years prior to Stray Cat passing on this date, Myles crossed over into heaven. Our only solace is that they are together with Jesus, playing, having fun, and just waiting to see us all again.
To make a donation in honor of Myles, please do so here: https://www.kidsandcars.org/
Thank you.
Hug your loved ones, Readers, hug them often.
-Stivali. 🐾
What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. -Helen Keller.
