Cats who teach me to fly…

A Tribute to Miemi

I have never been partial to cats.
I had a puppy once but it was taken away from me as my mother didn’t want to
keep it.
But you have changed my perception of cats.
You were a very sweet and
independent cat.
You allowed me to pet you and purred and
stretched your neck whenever I massaged your chin.
You would brush yourself against
me to show your affection.
Although I have know you for only four years,
you have never made us angry and
was always sensitive and sensible.
You would mind your own business,
sleeping under the pillow just like your mummy,
lying on your back with your limbs in the air.
I miss watching you sleep deeply.
You hadn’t slept well for a long time ever since your illness.
It pains to watch you shrink in size,
eventually reducing to bones and skin in your later days.
Despite the painful and stressful weekly jabs of chemo and
countless trips to the vet,
you did not hate us.
I remembered your round,
soulful eyes when you were very sick once.
You kept looking at me as if it was the last.
In your final days, you called out to me to tell me you were in pain.
You took turns to look at mummy and I to tell us how much you love us and
would miss us.
We know, and that was why it was so painful that we had to let you go.
You were a remarkable cat.
I learnt how unconditional your love
was, how giving you were.
Through you, I had a deeper realisation of how
like nature works in cycle. Energy will neither be created nor destroyed.
Even rocks and water change from one form to another.
Even leaves fall and decay,
but provide nutrients for new leaves to grow again.
I become more convinced about how we would all go,
but we will merely change form.
You have taught me the cycle of life and death, Miemi, and
how we need to get out of it.
Although you were a cat, you have taught us a lot.
To me, you are a Bodhisattva, helping the people around you.
Rest in peace Miemi.
Your mummy and I miss you every single day…

Mel Mummy