14-MAY-2016
Incense and Prayers
Today is the three-year anniversary of when I came to live in my new home with mom and dad. Although that does not sound like a long time, we squeezed a lifetime together in those days. It is also the one-month anniversary of my passing.
This morning mom and dad visited the Compassionate Dharma Cloud Monastery along Highway 285, south of Conifer, in Jefferson County, Colorado.
They burned incense for me and their departed friend, NancyP, who passed a few months ago after a long illness. As the incense burned and the mist intensified, mom offered prayers to Avalokita (Quan Yin) in our names.
Left, the packet dad made to carry a bundle of incense for me. The drawing on the paper is a Tibetan Dai Ko Myo, symbol of divine healing.
Right, mom prays in the fog.
04-FEB-2015
Miss You, Darling 14 Sept 2016
Sweet baby girl, it's been five months since we had to let go of your physical form. The absence of your presence is still a source of heartache for us. You should be there on the couch in your cat bed, keeping an eye on us, or sleeping between us at night, or snuggled onto one of our shoulders, cheek to cheek.
We know many people will not understand the loss, and might think, "It was only a cat. It was only a dog," but the truth is, you were simply one of us, as integral to the family as any human.
Some day I'll take your cremation medallion and wear it on a chain around my neck, but it's still too soon. We have more processing to do and it'll happen in its own good time.
You wanted a large photograph of yourself, "bigger than Miss Kitty's photo on the fridge," and you have it on the top shelf in the living room.
Sometimes, at night, I feel the light kitty-cat steps on the outside of the covers--too light to be those of your sister Panthor--and I figure it's you, coming for a quick visit. I know you are never far away, and will always be in our hearts.
We love you muchly, mom and dad.
14-APR-2017
One Year Gone 4-14-2017
Today we threw a dozen pink roses off a bridge into a slow-moving creek, not to say goodbye, but to say, we remember you so very fondly and so very profoundly. Sweet precious girl, may your spirit flow free, unbound by suffering and pain. Now and forever, you shall always be, our baby girl.
28-Mar-2019
Three Years Gone
Photo: Blackie resting after playing in our living room.
The big change since my transition three years ago is that our dear friend Blackie is now an official member of the household. Although he was always a gentleman when he showed up for food, he was never too approachable. He had been badly mistreated by "humans" at times, so his wariness was understandable.
A couple of years ago, some rescue organization or person captured him, had him spayed, and then returned him to the neighborhood. Always a ruthless fighter when it came to other cats, this calmed his disposition quite a bit. That summer, he began sitting in mom's or dad's lap while they were out in the yard.
Eventually, he smoozed his way indoors and became dad's number one lap cat. Now they spend hours every day in a recliner, watching bird videos on YouTube, or just enjoying the warmth of each other's company.
Recently, my sister Panthor--whom we thought would never be a lap cat--began sitting in mom's lap in the evenings, which is very precious.