Posted by Shame on October 22, 2007, at 16:26:11
Yet another epitaph for a member of my small, dwindling family. We miss you all.
I will try to capture in a few words what took your entire lifetime to express to us. I know that is impossible, because what you gave was not given with words; I would have to capture all that you were and what you represented to us and I do not have enough words for that. So I give you this and hope that you find it a sufficient thank you for simply being with us and in the hopes that it may salve what we are missing now that you are gone.
When we first met I knew you needed us. Sad eyes, I said. He has sad eyes and who else will give him a home if we do not? And just like that you were part of our family. Just one small kitten from the shelter like so many others, but special somehow. An hour later you were hiding under our table cautiously exploring your new surroundings. Your new home. But it wasn't long before the house became yours and we would find you napping wherever you pleased, blinking at us drowsily with your tail curled into an impossibly tight Q. Just one quirk of many, all a part of who you were and every one brought us joy.
When times were good we laughed as you chased and capered after something only you could see, we scratched your ears and found contentment when you would butt us with your head, always asking for more. When times were bad you sat with us, giving comfort simply by being there, just as being with us was enough to make your world right. You helped make ours right too. And when life's changes came, you accompanied us to new lives, fresh starts, and unknown challenges, but always at home because we were there. During our darkest hours, after the loss of our child, you were our constant, the only thing unchanged in a life gone wrong. We spent many days and nights laying in bed, crying into your soft fur, begging comfort from you and always finding it in your soft purr, something as perpetual and familiar as the rising sun. It meant more to us than I can express.
It is easy to be angry because you were taken from us so young, so suddenly. Easy to say you deserved better, that a long and healthy life was your due and, selfish as it sounds now, that we deserved more time with you. But I think things run deeper than that. I think that you were entrusted to us for that too-short period of time because your spirit is destined for greater things; that we found each other because we knew when to love ((always)) and when to sigh with exasperation, when to fuss over you and when to leave you alone, and, most importantly, we knew when to hold on and when to let go.
Our last gesture of love to you was freeing you from a sick and withered body that had served its purpose. We spoke for you because you had no voice, allowing you to leave with the pride and dignity you deserved. It seems a pale thing that, in the end, all we could offer you was an easy death, but putting aside our selfish impulses to be with you for just another day or another hour was as hard as anything we have ever done.
We stayed by you to see you off, our hands on your fur and tears in our eyes as your bright spirit left your body and went on to some place better. We felt your last breath and even after we knew you had departed we wept at your side already missing our friend. Our family.
So fly now and good journey to you, friend. When we meet again I hope that we can be as good to you as you were to us. You will always be in our thoughts. We love you.
Nyles \n(y)-les\ pronounced nyls.
1. A boy's nameEtymology : Celtic, meaning Champion.
[Origin: 300–400 NCE; Celtic cupel<MF nyles \n(y)-les\, Champion]\n(y)-les\, Champion]
poster:Shame
thread:790655
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/write/20070425/msgs/790655.html