My Mom died on January 30th, so I’ve not been active on my website for a bit. I shared this on my personal Facebook profile and the Facebook page linked to this site, but I thought I’d share here, as well.
Grief Is Like A Stray Kitten
I’ve determined grief is like a stray kitten that shows up on your porch one day. Nobody asks for it or wants it. It’s all bedraggled and emaciated. It’s a spicy little thing. You don’t really want to bring it in but you can’t just leave it outside.
Sometimes it’ll follow you around, weaving in and out of your steps, keeping you from going anywhere.
Sometimes it’ll stay on your heels and make you trip.
Occasionally it’ll make you chuckle with some ridiculous antic.
Other times it’ll completely ignore you.
Sometimes it’ll headbutt you to get your attention and make your eyes water.
It may stretch lazily across your lap and keep you still with its weight.
Sometimes it’ll stretch out its claws and grab you lightly, just enough to smart.
Sometimes it’ll swipe with vengeance and make you bleed.
You are decidedly against declawing, so you long for the day it no longer feels the need to use you as a scratching post.
Other times it’ll lick you with its sandpaper tongue and make your skin hurt.
Sometimes it’ll curl up on one end of the couch, content to sun itself in your presence while completely ignoring you.
Other times it’ll pounce on you and startle when you least expect it.
None of the rescues want it, so now you have to neuter it and give it a home.
With training and love, you hope it’ll eventually calm down and become a better companion.
Perhaps even one that is cherished, not just accepted.
Whether on your lap, on the couch, or hiding under your bed, it’s always somewhere in the house.
It has chosen you.
Welcome to grief (stray kitten) ownership.