Farwell SumuLumu

Zoomis Sumis Loomis Lonkin Climber Peer Dead Grass Eater crossed the rainbow bridge this morning under our kumquat tree and the morning sunshine. She asked this morning that we let her go, in a quiet voice framed by her dainty canine teeth. And so we quietly obliged. She departed to Karla Bonoff's "Goodbye My Friend," a song she wrote for her cat. Before she left I looked into the shimmering green of her eyes and told her that I would love her forever and miss her every second of every day. She went so quietly and so quickly. Once she was gone, I placed her in her favorite square basket and propped her just as she has propped herself so many times. She looked so peaceful, just like she was sleeping away a lazy morning.

The last couple of days have been so very difficult. She lost strength and life with each minute and we all kept hoping that the sliver of a miracle that lay before us might actually come true. So, I sat with her and recounted our favorite memories. I held her and sang to her. The sound of my voice, its familiar vibration, would ease her into relaxation. Last night she curled on my chest and we slept soundly together, her last night among the living. This morning, we woke peacefully and that is when she told me.

I am awash in grief. I don't even know where to be in this house. Sumis has been with me the entire time I have lived in this house - every corner of its structure holds a memory. I want to sit with her, quiet now in her basket, but I also need to let go. And the memories, while I am so blessed to have so many wonderful memories, they are so cutting to my raw heart. Still, I know I will sit in the next day or so and write for her, remember her, grace her with the last gift I can give her. I will post my list of memories as the final bookend of this blog.

To all of you who have followed the blog and who have supported me through this process, thank you. Please send your thoughts of Sumis high into the sky where she can catch them as she becomes acquainted with the mugs and mits already romping among the stars.