feeling a bit better yet scared
It's been 4 days since Spike went to the Grey Havens, as Tony & I put it. And while I still miss him like I'd miss a limb, I'm starting to feel the pain subside. While that's somewhat of a relief, I also fear that if I lose the pain & sadness I will lose the memory of my sweet, little boy. Please someone reassure me, because I know that everything fades in time. In fact, it's been 8 years since Freddie (my childhood cat) passed, & nowadays I rarely think of him (I wear the locket which bears his pic from time to time). On another note, I bought a beautiful urn for Spike: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350286923301&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT We'll get his ashes in a week or so, & I want to create a memoriam worthy of Spike. :)
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Hey there.
It tears me up inside to know that you\'ve lost Spike. He looked so much like my Salem. I have four cats, and I think of them all as my children too. I\'m 26, single and honestly I don\'t think I ever will have kids, at least not the furless variety, lol.
I lost my best friend of 15 years in July. We grew up together, and I honestly believe he\'s the only reason I\'m still here. When things got really bad, and I was battling the worst stages of depression I always thought to myself, \"not without my dog, not without Oscar\". This is my first Christmas without him.
I\'ll be honest with you. The pain does fade, but it never stops hurting. It just won\'t hurt as much as it does now for you. I also wanted to share this with you:
The Rainbow Bridge Story
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal who has been especially close to someone dies, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
Animals who were ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them from days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one thing: they miss someone very special to them; the person they left behind.
All of the animals run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. Happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together
Please, if you ever need someone to talk to, know that I\'m here. The loss of Oscar still hurts me very much, so I\'m not at all healed and I can relate to your loss. I also carry his photo in my purse, so whenever I\'m at a shop and go to pay for something I see him, and it actually does make me smile. I think your idea for a memoriam is an excellent idea. Honestly when the sad day comes where I have to say goodbye to my cats, I want to have them cremated, and then when I pass I want to either be buried with their ashes, or I\'ll be cremated too, and have all our ashes mixed together. After all our lives are so entwined, why not our afterlifes too?
I\'ll keep you in my thoughts and my prayers. Stay strong.
Hugs,
Lauren.
Thx Lauren. The holidays definitely have been rough. That mixing of the ashes sounds like a great idea & great way to be together forever. :) Spike is in his urn w/ his fave toy now sitting a top a bookshelf (he always liked to be in the tallest spots) so that he can watch over us. My sister gave me a lovely memoriam ornament for Xmas. It was the sweetest gift. :)