To all members of my "cyber family"
I lost my feline companion of 21 years a week ago today and that little furry being sure leaves a giant void with her passing. The past few days I have read stories with so much anguish, anger and pain in them that I almost felt guilty about my grief. Miss Mew was never ill a day in her long life, she passed peacefully with me by her side and a wonderful caring vet who gave her an anesthetic before the "gentle death". Still as many have said or felt, the passing of a human does not produce as much raw emotion.
Many years ago, while I was at university, a wonderful professor instilled in me a great love of English literature even though I am French Canadian. One of my favourite poets was Wordsworth, and I never forgot the following lines. They have stood me well during many of my life's ups and downs- I repeated them to myself today as a type of mantra: to you my sweet Miss Mew-

"THAT THOUGH THE RADIANCE WHICH WAS ONCE SO BRIGHT BE NOW FOREVER TAKEN FROM MY SIGHT,
THOUGH NOTHING CAN BRING BACK THE HOUR OF SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS, GLORY IN THE FLOWER,
WE WILL GRIEVE NOT, RATHER FIND STRENGTH IN WHAT REMAINS BEHIND:

Thank you,
Nicole

Yes, Nicole. The words bring a lot of comfort to me. I love those lines, but I haven't thought of them in a long time.
Thanks,
Marcia

Hi Nicole:

I have not myself, read those beautiful words before........ but, thank you for letting me know that this very comforting passage is one that is a mantra to you.............to your precious, Miss Mew...

Thank you for sharing that with me..... My husband went to College and studied English Literature, (many,
many years ago...........), but he does remember.....

You and I share a couple of things............We both have had "geriatric kitties who have passed to Rainbow's Bridge..."
Our sweet Ernestine, was put to sleep on February 7, 2004......at the age of 19 years and 10 months....
Even though I had Ernie-Bird since the age of 23, and now I am 43 (almost 44).......it was extremely difficult
in the first couple of months.....

But, like you, I believe that we both feel extremely lucky to have had our furkids for such a long, long time in our
lives..... I know that I realized that early on, and that was because my husband just "helped me to understand that
she and I spent a great life together......"

And, it was the love and comfort of everyone here at Lightning Strike.......... Without all of you wonderful people, helping me on my journey, I'm not sure how my healing would have played out.......

Also, (this has nothing to do with furkitties), but I am as well, French Canadian..........(my father's side)...., and I'm Irish (my mom's side.....)
I haven't been to Canada in awhile...........
We hope to get there one day in the next couple of years......

Nicole, your darling, sweet, Miss Mew will always and forever be with you.......
A love that is soooooooooooooo deep, even death cannot separate...

I hope that you are feeling better and better, as each day goes by...........
It's a Journey..............and, it's a process...... It definitely cannot be rushed..

We are always here for you, whenever you need us....
I know that you know that!!!!

God Bless you, my friend.....

Goodnight and God Bless,
Love, Denise, Ben, Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster