This is one of my cloud paintings. I think this kitty cloud looks so much like our little friend Crickette'.
We were late for church that morning--so we were in a hurry to get out the door. As we left, I noticed our sweet small cat sitting beside the back door, all fluffed with a shine of love in her eyes. I had a fleeting thought of tires and thought to myself, I should put her inside before we leave. But I didn't, because we were already pulling away from the house. She seemed to be saying goodbye and I smiled.
Arriving home that afternoon, we didn't notice she was gone at first. Then we realized our Crickette' was nowhere to be found. She was usually close at hand, interested in everything we would do.
As the hours passed, and she didn't come to our calls, our heartache grew. All through the night, every few hours, I would awaken to go out and call her name.
Monday morning, I called the police to see if they'd picked up a small grey cat. We live near downtown, so when there is an animal fatality, the police are called. The lady I spoke with said the police had indeed picked up a small grey cat near our home--Saturday night. I said with such relief, "My husband and I saw her Sunday morning, so it couldn't be our cat."
But our little Crickette' still didn't come home. When I called back, the police were doubly firm they'd found our kitty on the road Saturday evening.
I can't explain it. Our sweet furry friend came back to say goodbye.
When I talked to my husband about it, he said he'd seen her too that Sunday morning--all bright eyed and fluffy--and he'd also felt as though she were saying goodbye. He just didn't realize what kind of a goodbye it would be.
I'm grateful Crickette' came back to say goodbye--if she hadn't I would have always blamed myself for not letting her into the house before we left.
I don't know how to explain what happened. I'm just grateful to God, that it did.
