This month is a time for tears of joy and pain. It’s common not to have one without the other because with life’s hills and valleys, so go our emotions. On April 18, 2024, Ed and I will celebrate our deceased cat’s birthday; two days later, we will mourn her death. Oh my, how the year has flown?
Skye was the first pet Ed and I adopted. I was selfish when our relationship began, never wanting to share him—even with a feline. However, that changed one day when we went to the local Humane Society and became smitten with a kitten. We brought her home and shared the next eight years, enjoying her love and kindness.
Not everyone speaks so highly of their pet, but Skye was alongside us when we moved into our condo, and she lay by Ed’s side while he suffered COVID during the first severe strain. You don’t forget milestones or acts of love. Why would anyone try?
Skye loved us fiercely despite her shy personality. I often reminisce how, during her last month alive, drugged from emergency care and without energy, she dragged her fragile body down our long hallway to greet Ed when he came home from work. A more heart-wrenching Kodak moment I can’t remember. She showered us with her undying love, so to this day, we still grieve.
However, Skye’s story comes filled with light. If not for our enriching relationship with Skye, Ed and I would never have adopted Huey. Our huge, loveable feline comic came to us shortly after Skye. His presence has brought us unimaginable joy and filled our hearts through those sombre times.
Our newest addition quickly became my muse. When I adopted him from the shelter, I didn’t know he’d also be a dream come true.
Huey is the catalyst for my new children’s picture book, which I hope to self-publish for the family within the next few months. It’s been my vision, and now it’s coming to fruition. Who knew that two shelter cats that deeply touched my life would be the pathway to ensure my legacy?
Ed and I will celebrate Skye’s memory this month and pay tribute to our shared life. I thank her for remaining in our hearts and bringing Huey into our lives. A more loved cat, he couldn’t be. A happier household we are because he’s in it.
Thank you to all you special readers who have supported me through my grief this past year and celebrated our newest addition to the family alongside us. This month, there will be tears of sadness and joy, and that’s alright because life is full of gifts. How exciting is it that my children’s picture book prototype is in the mail?
The challenge to create one hundred drabbles daily lives on and has turned into a full-on writing commitment, with me writing little else.
Here’s a sample,
“Mom, am I the only person who struggles with the hard-copy version of the dictionary?” Lisa asked, watching her mother hang socks.
“What do you mean?”
“I look up English words to learn their spelling, but to find them, you already need to know how to spell them.
“Consider laundry. Who knew it has a ‘u?’ Wouldn’t most people look up lawndry?”
“Yes. Perhaps.”
“And how about laugh (laff), certain (sertin), and phone (fone)?
“Can you blame me for being confused?”
“Lisa, why not just use Google or AI to help you?”
(Sigh)
“Doesn’t anyone think for themselves anymore?”
As we move through April, I hope your lives are joyful. By the way, is anyone else wondering if we can remove our snow tires yet?
I look forward to seeing you in May.
The line you don't forget milestones or acts of love touched me 💙 As a lover of cats, I can relate to suffering the loss of a beloved feline friend - am so sorry for your loss - Skye sounds amazing - glad you have Huey in your life