There really aren’t words to describe what you mean to me, and how you’ve affected my life, but I certainly owe it to you to try.
The day that I got you, I was supposed to be somewhere else. Somehow the universe knew how much we needed each other–rather, how much I needed you–and found a way to put us in the same place at the same time. You had just survived a hurricane; I was barely hanging on.
As we both know, the next few months were touch and go. The illness lingering in your body since the hurricane eventually began to ulcerate your corneas. And when the vet said those words – I’ll have to sew both of her eyes shut – I lost it. I hadn’t cried in years. For the next two months, you curled up into my lap every night and just purred your way through my pain. I should have been the one telling you that everything was going to be okay, but it was your sweet heart planted atop mine, and the soft touch of your paw on my cheek, that told me –it’s going to be OK mama.
You have taught me so much. You have taught me that you can come through trauma a stronger being. But most of all, you have taught me about forgiveness. When only one of your eyes was salvageable, you didn’t dwell on what was gone; there was no anger. There you had been, abandoned in a hurricane and then through losing an eye, and you were so happy to just be able to see again.
My outlook on life changed after that. I had been letting the past weigh me down, but you showed me that looking forward brought nothing but joy. You began the healing process for me. For that, I will be eternally grateful.
Thankfully, things have been better, and a little bit lighter since then. You have brought nothing but joy, love, companionship and laughter to this home–and not just to me. When I added to our family and brought Milla, and then Milo, home, you unapologetically took the role of mother (OK maybe dictator!) to heart and constantly made sure that everyone’s needs are taken care of.
You are the sweetest, yet strongest, soul that I know.
Everyone that knows you knows that you are the queen of the house. What I want you to know is that you will always be the queen of my heart. You saved my life.
I know that we won’t be together on this earth forever, but I’ll love you for all eternity.
Love, Mom
