Cats who teach me to fly…

Miemi has been around with me these few nights. I smiled and greeted her even though I was tired. It is always a joy to know that she is around…always. Photos of her when she was a baby.

I remember it was around 10+ that night. I was going to bed and I put her on the couch on this neck cushion. It fitted her well. When I woke up the next morning, I took a peep at her and there she was still lying still on the neck cushion. She meowed immediately when she noticed me. Miemi was such good girl.

Miemi at a playful age. I think she was about one to two months old. I had no experience in handling or taking care of cats when she first came to me. I gave her dry cat food and she didn’t seem to know how to eat. So i smashed the dry food and mixed with wet food for her. She ate finally.

She had an accident when she was in her eighth or tenth month. I think someone dragged her out from my window, she fell and broke her leg and was dumped on the fourth floor. We were staying on the tenth floor. She was obviously exposed in the middle of the stairs. Injured cats never expose themselves. They usually hide but Miemi did not. She couldn’t walk as she broke her bone on her front left foot. I went stair by stair shouting her name and looking for her. Finally I saw her and she lifted her neck high when she saw me.

I knew she couldn’t have broken her leg and dragged herself to the fourth floor. Someone dragged her out of my window, felt panicked and dumped her. I don’t know who did it. Whoever did it was forgiven. Animals never hold grudges. Miemi never and so shouldn’t I.

I had bad arthritis when I was 18. It was on my joint. Both my knees, ankles and wrists. I got better as I grew older. At the age of 24, they were 99% healed without medication except for my left wrist. It is always painful when I add stress to it. Just like Miemi, after her operation, she was able to walk normally but she could not bend her leg anymore.

It is not easy for me to forget which leg she injured herself cos my left wrist reminded me of her. The last time I felt sensitive on my left wrist was two weeks ago. I thought of Miemi. Part of me was sad because she was not with me physically anymore and part of me was happy because she no longer feels pain anymore. She is free of pain whereas I am still suffering.

This was taken when she was eight-months-old. How graceful she was! There was no ipad at that time and digital cameras were rather expensive.

Sometimes I asked myself did I love her all my life. I think I have I neglected her during her first few months and I loved her her whole life. Never once have I thought of abandoning her even though letter was sent from HDB to send her away and friend told me to give her up. I never did. She was and is a flawless jade to me.

I also remember there was an earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia. One night, both of us felt the aftermath of an earthquake and we looked at each other. Without hesitation, I picked her up and dashed out of the house, just in case the building collapsed. I didn’t wear my bra as I needed to dash both of us out of the building and I used Miemi as a shield. Carrying her tightly, afraid that she might run away and go missing but she stuck closely to me without struggling.

Not even a second have I thought of abandoning her. I walked with her when she was ill. Nothing could tear us apart. Nothing. Yes, the connection between Miemi and I is never ending. A never ending love. We will be together again. She walked with me her whole life and she still chooses to walk with me. So do I.

Beautiful purple chrysanthemums for Miemi. Cashie was playful again trying to pull out the leaves but he is still lovely.

Always loving Miemi.