Pathways

One of the morning routines was for Abby to escort me up and down the hallway to clean the litter boxes which were located on each end of this long hallway through the house. It was an every day ritual. She would run interference. If any other cat got in the way, she would fuss at them and they would run away. I can't tell you why she would do this activity but in some way I see it as her way of protecting me as I did my daily rounds of cleaning.

That first day after she left, one of the hardest things to do was this walk alone.

I know that may seem such a trivial matter, but it was huge.

I have been working through all my Abby photo archives and redoing her pictures. It will take me a long time to sort through everything, but one of the things I was looking for was evidence of our "walk". I finally found Abby sitting pretty in the long hallway. It's funny how when you are looking for something you can't find it until much later when you're really not looking for it.

I'm not as raw as I was when I was first searching for these, and now it's much easier to accept the gift of finding evidence of the daily things we use to do together. It was for the best I didn't find these right away. You see my heart wasn't ready for them then. I'm not on life support anymore, slowly very slowly time weaves it's magic and the pain lessens and the tears do not fall as often when old memories creep up on me.

~*~*~*~*~

All of those years Abby we made this walk together are etched deeply into my heart. I can still hear you meowing out your orders and see you marching confidently down this hallway. I cannot help but miss your help each day, but I am blessed with the many years you kept track of me. You were honoring your loyal pledge to protect me in the way you knew I needed. Abby please know I was so thankful, thankful for so many things. Most of all, thankful for you. I love you Abby girl, I love to the Moon and back again and again and again.
Love, 
Mom