Most of us become accustomed to the patterns in our lives. We wake up and face the day in various ways, feeling comfort in our daily rituals. My partner and I chat for awhile and our cat Mr. Boo invariably jumps on the bed between us and always bumps our heads as a way to say “good morning”. He then lays down and watches us till we get up. When my partner Kenny goes in the kitchen to get our coffee he dashes after him anticipating his breakfast.
I always have my cup of coffee in my favorite chair overlooking a small fish pond. I embrace the day slowly when I can without any need to discover what the media has to offer in the way of doom and gloom. Kenny goes down to his man cave to listen to his sports show and as I sip my coffee, I can hear Boo chomping on his kibble. This has been the scenario for quite some time until this past week.
Mr. Boo had been exhibiting some weight loss and lethargy. I took him to a Vet weeks ago and he was given an appetite enhancement and some probiotic powder to spread on his food. Things seemed to be looking up. The rituals stayed the same. Life was good. Then three days ago he stopped eating and drinking. Another Vet visit, and lots of tests, which have led to hospitalization and the possibility of sending Boo to his final resting place. The doctors are exceedingly compassionate and dedicated to their patients. However, they really can’t tell you when “enough is enough”.
At one time my feline friend was a big white and black cat with long hair. He always made me feel as if he was of royal stock. He had a jaunty walk, with a tail that was always straight up in the air. He never sat on my lap preferring to lay next to me instead. After all, he was the king. The only time he deferred to me, was when I was recuperating from my knee replacement. I fell asleep in my recliner, only to awaken to find him splayed across my chest. We looked at each other and I realized that he had decided to gift me with himself to possibly enhance my healing.
Over and over as I journey through this life I am given lessons on the challenges of not being attached to how we perceive life “should be”. It is not an easy lesson, since it is easier and more comfortable to be deluded into thinking everything will stay the same. Perhaps, the gift impermanence can teach us is to relish every moment with those we love and cherish.
“relish every moment with those we love and cherish.”
my own words are stuck in my throat so let me borrow these:
IF I KNEW
If I knew it would be the last time
That I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say “I love you,”
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I’m sure you’ll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there’s always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say “I love you,”
And certainly there’s another chance
to say our “Anything I can do?”
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll surely regret the day,
That you didn’t take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you’ll always hold them dear
Take time to say “I’m sorry,”
“Please forgive me,” “Thank you,” or “It’s okay.”
And if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll have no regrets about today.
Thank you so much for those beautiful words..They so lifted my heart!
Dear Loretta, my sincerest sympathy on the loss of your dear friend. He is always at the rainbow bridge looking out for you, as you did for him for so long. You were his blessing as he was yours,
Helen
Beautifully written, Loretta. I’m so very sorry to read about your Mr Boo.
As much as he was a gift to you, you were also a gift to him.
We have a Lizzy Borden who was initially raised in a prison cell until she was discovered and attacked by the drug sniffing dog during a random check, and she has many unusual characteristics. We got a kitten to keep her company. Their antics delight us every day.
I hope when it’s time, you will feel the urge to become the property of another kitty.