my sweet pit viper

This post is dedicated to my cat that went missing recently, but in the brief time that I knew her she managed to find a permanent place in my heart.

So we got Mittens and her sister Sweet Pea when they were only six weeks old. They could barely open their eyes. Of course we all fell in love with them immediately, and because of the shape of her face and head, I gave Mittens the affectionate nickname of "Pit Viper." We almost never called her Mittens again after that.

Pit Viper was two years old when we lost her. We think the coyotes got her, but we will never know for sure. Her sister carries on without her, and Sweet Pea is wonderful in her own right, but she lost her best friend and companion that day.

“Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” Kabil Gibran

Below are a few random thoughts in no particular order:

• I miss my cat with all my heart. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and the immense joy that she brought to me and the others who knew her. In fact I associate this blog, my YouTube channel, my podcast, and the rest of my social media experiment with her, as she was present when it all began. I am determined now to go forward in her honor, because I know that she is still with me always.

• I miss my children more every day, even though I am blessed to have them all nearby and healthy, and I see them from time to time. I continue to enjoy parenthood, and I believe that my children have the tools they need to get by in life, whether I am here or not. That said, I wish that I could see more of them, even as I marvel at their accomplishments.

• I miss my brothers, even though I am immensely fortunate that they are all well. We grew up so quickly and learned to be independent. Too independent, I sometimes think.

• I miss my parents. My father has passed, and I would have liked to know him better. But he had his limitations, and knowing him was not an easy thing to do. He was a very good man, and I know that he loved me. My mother is still available to me. Some days she is more aware than others. She is a wonderful person, and I have been incredibly lucky to feel her love all of my life up to the present.

Do you have any stories you would like to share about love or loss? Please share your thoughts in the comments, below.