The day finally came when Edye recognized that the end was near. She started that final trip to the veterinarian with Simon in her arms, but had to pull over to the side of the road to hold him close as he left her. Anyone who has ever laid to rest a beloved cat will know the anguish she felt on that day.
Simon's grave is in Edye's garden. The day after he died, James came to her door and asked if it would be okay if he visited Simon.
She looked out the window and saw him reading aloud a story he had written for his old friend. Soon after, he asked if it would be okay if he left one of Simon's favorite toys on his grave, and the yellow rubber ducky was rehomed. Today, the Red Flyer is at rest next to the grave, mounded with toys, lovingly deposited a toy at a time; the mute evidence of a young boy's grief and love for a departed friend.
James has graduated from a tub bath to a shower - he says it just isn't fun to tub-bathe nowadays. When his mother suggested he go outside and play, his reply was, "There just isn't any reason anymore." Some people may see this as an unhealthy situation. I prefer to think of it as one of the priceless lessons of living, for how can we truly value life until we have loved and lost someone dear? Values, like possessions bought too cheaply, are meaningless. Only when the price is dear can we appreciate all that life brings us.
This story isn't all about grief and loss, but also about hope and eternity.
Edye told me that some Buddhists believe that in the paths of reincarnation souls take, as they reach the highest, most enlightened state, they return as a cat, and after that life, they evolve to a sort of a god (a belief many cat lovers will appreciate, and most cats will acknowledge with a knowing nod.)
It is also believed that it takes 45 days for a spirit to fully depart its previous life for one of higher spirituality. Simon passed from this life on December 31, 2003. Edye burned candles for 45 days to help his spirit on his journey, and relived his life through dreams during that period. On the 45th day, she snuffed out all the candles, and said a final prayer for Simon's spirit. That night, she had a rather troubling dream. Simon appeared to her, but he was not "quite right." His body had deteriorated, and he was smaller, but still undeniably Simon. As she watched, his body receded away from her until it was just a wisp, and then - gone. The next day Edye felt a chill course through her when a visibly disturbed James started to recount his own identical dream. She carefully explained that Simon had moved on, but stopped to say, "goodbye," and that they would all be reunited some day. James was at peace with that explanation.
There is no doubt in my mind that, as a result of his early bonding with one special cat, James will grow into a fine, responsible man; that he will be particularly sensitive to creatures who cannot speak out for themselves, and that Simon's indomitable spirit will live on forever, one way or another.
Any other assumption is unthinkable.
Simon's grave is in Edye's garden. The day after he died, James came to her door and asked if it would be okay if he visited Simon.
She looked out the window and saw him reading aloud a story he had written for his old friend. Soon after, he asked if it would be okay if he left one of Simon's favorite toys on his grave, and the yellow rubber ducky was rehomed. Today, the Red Flyer is at rest next to the grave, mounded with toys, lovingly deposited a toy at a time; the mute evidence of a young boy's grief and love for a departed friend.
James has graduated from a tub bath to a shower - he says it just isn't fun to tub-bathe nowadays. When his mother suggested he go outside and play, his reply was, "There just isn't any reason anymore." Some people may see this as an unhealthy situation. I prefer to think of it as one of the priceless lessons of living, for how can we truly value life until we have loved and lost someone dear? Values, like possessions bought too cheaply, are meaningless. Only when the price is dear can we appreciate all that life brings us.
This story isn't all about grief and loss, but also about hope and eternity.
Edye told me that some Buddhists believe that in the paths of reincarnation souls take, as they reach the highest, most enlightened state, they return as a cat, and after that life, they evolve to a sort of a god (a belief many cat lovers will appreciate, and most cats will acknowledge with a knowing nod.)
It is also believed that it takes 45 days for a spirit to fully depart its previous life for one of higher spirituality. Simon passed from this life on December 31, 2003. Edye burned candles for 45 days to help his spirit on his journey, and relived his life through dreams during that period. On the 45th day, she snuffed out all the candles, and said a final prayer for Simon's spirit. That night, she had a rather troubling dream. Simon appeared to her, but he was not "quite right." His body had deteriorated, and he was smaller, but still undeniably Simon. As she watched, his body receded away from her until it was just a wisp, and then - gone. The next day Edye felt a chill course through her when a visibly disturbed James started to recount his own identical dream. She carefully explained that Simon had moved on, but stopped to say, "goodbye," and that they would all be reunited some day. James was at peace with that explanation.
There is no doubt in my mind that, as a result of his early bonding with one special cat, James will grow into a fine, responsible man; that he will be particularly sensitive to creatures who cannot speak out for themselves, and that Simon's indomitable spirit will live on forever, one way or another.
Any other assumption is unthinkable.
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