You were my best friend, Buttons. You were such a bright ray of sunshine and so full of life. You loved to run through the grass and climb trees. Lying on the warm pavement was one of your favorite things. I loved taking you and Isabella across the street to play in the grass. You and Isabella enjoyed chasing and running around with each other. I so enjoyed watching you play. You also learned that it was warm in the dryer after it had been used. You would often meow while I had the dryer on which was my cue to turn it off and let you get in and lay on your towel. Isabella liked laying in there too. You loved to get under the covers in the bed and sleep next to me. I loved how you would lay on the top of the rocking chair behind my head. I could reach back and scratch your head which you enjoyed so much. All I had to do was pat the top of the rocking chair and you would come running! You also loved chasing that laser light all over the apartment. I so much enjoyed watching you and Isabella interact and love each other. I always felt comfortable leaving you two at home alone knowing that you had each other for comfort. Isabella misses you so now.

No one can imagine how deeply I loved you. I loved you beyond words and miss you terribly. I look for you when I come home - sitting on the ledge below my apartment or waiting on the steps like you used to do. I call your name and hope to see you running across the grass to come home. But, you're not there and it breaks my heart. I haven't been able to put away your food bowls or the towel that you used to lay on.

You gave me so much comfort over the years, Buttons. All those years it was just you, me, and Isabella. I don't know what I would have done without you two in my life. You brought me so much love, joy, and contentment. I could always count on you to be happy and carefree. You blessed my life in countless ways. Thank you for loving me and being my friend.

I know in my heart that you are now running free, playing in the grass, chasing birds, and climbing trees with the angels. I know you have probably made many new friends at the Rainbow Bridge. You will never have to worry about being alone, hurt or injured again. You will always be a part of me, Buttons. I feel you walk beside me each day. You, me, and Isabella will be together again one sweet day!

I love and miss you my precious friend. 'Til we are together again!

I found a poem on the internet that reminded me of you.

I Thought of You Today

I woke early this morning, lifted the shade
to a sky overcast and gray,
No ray of sun to brighten my heart,
and I thought of you today.

The breezes of summer are no more
and have moved along on their way.
The crisp air of autumn has settled in,
and I thought of you today.

The crunch of the leaves under my feet,
I remembered how you loved to play,
chasing the leaves across the yard,
and I thought of you today.

As the daylight faded into dusk
and the shadows came to play,
I lit a candle and watched the flame dance,
and I thought of you today.

I crawled into bed, turned out the lamp
and glanced where you used to lay.
The tears came again, as they always do,
as I thought of you today.

Author Unknown
To Buttons, my precious friend
6/24/2017
L.H.

Another poem that I found:

I stood by your bed last night,
I came to have a peep.
I saw that you were crying....
You found it hard to sleep.

I whispered to you softly,
as you brushed away a tear.
"It's me, I haven't left you.....
I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast.
I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times,
your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at my grave today,
you tend it with such care.
I just want you to know that
"I am not really lying there."

I walked with you towards the house,
as you fumbled for your key,
I gently put my paw on you,
I smiled and said, "It's me."

You looked so very tired,
and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know,
that I was standing there.

You sat there very quietly, then smiled.
I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening,
I was very close to you.

I'm here so close beside you,
so near you every day.
Believe me when I tell you,
"I never went away."

The day is over...
I smile and watch you yawn and say,
"Good night, God Bless,
I'll see you in the morning".

And when the time is right
for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you,
and we'll stand side by side.

I have so many things to show you,
there is so much to for you to see.
Be patient,
live your journey out.....
then come home to me.

Author unknown
To Buttons
04/06/2018
L.H.

I'm Still Here
by Darlene Freeman-Ciulla

Your heart has been heavy
since that day.
The day you thought,
I went away.

I haven't left you...
I never would.
You just can't see me,
though I wish you could.

It might ease the pain
that you feel in your heart.
The pain that you felt,
since you believed us to part.

Try and think of it this way
it might help you see.
That I am right here with you,
and will always be.

That's how it is now
when you look for my face,
I'm still right beside you,
Still filling my place.

I find it to be so very sad,
that seeing and believing seem to go hand-in-hand.
The love and the loyalty,
the warmth that I gave,
You felt them,
but you believed just the same.

I walk with you now
like I walked with you then.
My pain is now gone,
and I lead once again.

My eyes always following you
wherever you roam,
Making sure you're ok,
and you're never alone.

Our time was too short
yet for me it goes on.
I won't ever leave you,
I'll never be gone.

I live in your heart
as you live in mine.
A never ending love
that continues to shine.

To Buttons, my best friend
6/20/18
L.H.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

Author - Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)
To Buttons, my best friend
8/30/18
L.H.

Polaris

So many things, they come and go,
Like waves upon a beach,
So many things we cannot touch,
Like stars beyond our reach.

What comforts us, those things that stay,
Familiar....deja vu,
A thing that was, as still it is,
For me, that thing was you.

Were you to me, Polaris,
By you I'd find my way,
When I was lost, you'd point me home,
In the dark before the day.

Throughout the years and all my tears,
I knew I had a friend,
Someone who cared when I was scared,
And who would me defend.

A guiding light, a trusted friend,
An anchor in the storm,
A fire bright, in the dark of night,
The flame that kept me warm.

From: https://steemit.com/poetry/@quillfire/deziy-rest-in-peace-old-friend-the-poem-polaris-we-dedicate-to-him

To: Buttons, my best friend
10/2/18
L.H.

WE HAVE A SECRET

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?

And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed,
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.

And only I can see you lay in the sun
on each blooming knoll I pass,
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.

- Author Unknown
To my precious Buttons
10/16/19
L.H.

IF I COULD BE WHERE YOU ARE
- Enya

Where are you this moment?
Only in my dreams.
You're missing, but you're always
A heartbeat from me.
I'm lost now without you,
I don't know where you are.
I keep watching, I keep hoping,
But time keeps us apart.

Is there a way I can find you?
Is there a sign I should know?
Is there a road I could follow
To bring you back home?

Winter lies before me
Now you're so far away.
In the darkness of my dreaming
The light of you will stay.

If I could be close beside you
If I could be where you are.
If I could reach out and touch you
And bring you back home.
Is there a way I can find you?
Is there a sign I should know?
Is there a road I can follow
To bring you back home...
To me?

To my precious Buttons and Isabella
06/16/21
L.H.

05/27/18:
I can't believe it's been a year since I last saw your bright, shiny, beautiful face. It has been a hard year without you. I became so accustomed to seeing your happy face when I came home. I miss seeing you waiting for me on the ledge below my apartment. I still call your name when I'm outside - I want to remember you running across the grass. I reach behind me when I'm sitting in the rocking chair and want to scratch your head again like I used to. I miss you meowing by the dryer - wanting to get in when it was still warm. And it breaks my heart that you're not there anymore. I still miss you so much and think of you everyday. Thanks for blessing my life in so many ways and for loving me unconditionally. You were the best friend that I've ever had. Isabella misses you too. She gets awful lonesome without you. I know you are running free now, climbing trees, chasing birds, and playing with the angels. We love and miss you, precious girl. You are forever in our hearts and I know you are close to us in spirit. You will always be a part of me. Thanks for all the feathers! I know we will be together again one sweet day!

06/20/18:
It has been a very nice summer, so far, Buttons. I can't help but think about you when the grass is green and there is a warm breeze. Just remembering how you loved to run and play in the grass. You loved to roll around on the warm pavement - even if it was covered in dirt! I still go outside at night and call your name - hoping that you will run across the grass and come home. We would be together again...... I hope the sun is shining brightly on you today and that you are having a wonderful time. I continue to see the black and white dragon flies when I walk the trails at the park. I believe it is your way of showing me that you are near - thank you! How we love and miss you, precious girl.

07/07/2018:
I thought about you quite a bit today. The summer breeze and the cats that run around below my apartment remind me of you. I went to the park tonight and sat for awhile. I go there a lot in the evenings when it is dark and the stars are bright. I just like sitting there in the stillness. I can't help but think of you when I look into the heavens. I wonder what you may be doing and hope you are well. I wish I could see you running across the grass again to come home...... I watch videos of you and frequently browse all the pictures that I took of you and Isabella. I still miss you so much. Isabella gets really lonesome without you too. We love and miss you, Buttons!

08/05/2018:
I still love and miss you very much, Buttons! Some days it is almost too much to bear..... I try to be grateful for the time we had together but I still need to see your bright shiny face. I try to carry on the best that I can. I love you, baby girl.

08/30/2018:
Just wanted to add a poem to your memorial page that reminds me of your soaring spirit. We still love and miss you so, Buttons.

9/25/2018:
Well, Buttons, summer is about over. It is starting to get darker earlier and the wind is getting cooler. I can't believe that yet another summer has passed without you. The black and white dragonflies at the park remind me of you. I still miss you so and think about you every day. Thanks for the feathers! Isabella misses you so much too. We love and miss you, sweet girl.

11/08/2018:
Dear Buttons - I'm feeling pretty low right now. Winter is setting in and it gets dark much earlier which makes me feel not so good. I still think about and miss you everyday. You were my bright shining light each day and I miss your energy, love, and happiness. I still love and miss you so. I still haven't gotten over the day you passed. I still grieve for you with every ounce of my being. Some days it's just too much and the tears start to flow. Isabella gets so lonesome without you. Please keep close to her if you can. Please stay near me, Buttons, until my time comes also. Then we can play together again and I can pet your sweet little face. We love and miss you, baby girl.

12/27/2018:
Still miss you so much, precious girl. I've been thinking a lot about you lately. There has been a full moon lately and I look up at the sky and think of you. I know you're there. I see you in the moonlight, sunshine, the green grass, and the flowers. I feel you wherever I go. I just wish I could still reach behind me on the rocking chair and scratch your head. You loved it so much. When I go outside, I remember how you used to love laying in the grass across the street. When I go workout at the apartment gym, I remember how you used to jump up on the window sill and watch me. Isabella and I still miss and love you so, Buttons.

3/22/2019:
Another year begins without you, my precious girl. I still think about you each day. When I walk at the park at night, I look up at the moon and think of you. Lots of changes in my life this year. New job and new friends. Whatever help you could provide, I would appreciate. I've always believed you have been able to guide me along the way. Some days I feel so lost and out of sorts. I think of you and it brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. I still miss you so much, baby girl. Isabella and I love and miss you.

5/11/2019:
Just thinking about you tonight and how much I still miss you. It still hurts that you're not here (physically) with me. I would give anything if I could reach behind me in the rocking chair and scratch your head. You loved that so. I miss opening the dryer after it had been running so you could get in and nap. Oh, Buttons, what I wouldn't give to have you back with me so we could play again. It's getting warmer outside - you would like to roll around in the dirt on the sidewalk and lay in the grass. I love and miss you, baby girl. Please guide me along the way - I feel so lost at times. Please be my guardian angel, forever. Isabella misses you too. We love and miss you, Buttons.

5/27/19:
I love and miss you, Buttons. Today of all days is always the hardest. It's been rough the last 11 days. I've been in the hospital with a leg infection. I think of your beautiful spirit and your joy for life and it gives me hope. I lean on my memories of you to keep going when it hurts too much. I love and miss you more than anyone can fathom. But, you know. We love and miss you precious girl. Isabella loves and misses you too. I hope you are soaring with the angels tonight. You are forever in my heart, Buttons. I love you so.

8/9/19:
Well, Buttons, another summer has come along and is winding down. I miss you so, still. Even after 2 years, I still think about you every day. It is warm outside, the grass is green....you would love it today like you used to all those years before. I can't help but think about you every time I go walking or look outside from the patio. I wish I could see you running across the grass or climbing a tree. I bought a pendant that has some of your ashes in it along with a note. I wear it around my neck every day. It helps me to know that you are near. I love and miss you so much, Buttons. Isabella gets lonely with out you and so do I. Keep watch over us, if you can. I miss the days when it was just me, you, Isabella, Inky, and Carmen. It was so much fun to watch you guys grow up. Wait for me, Buttons, when my time comes to leave this earth. You, me, Isabella, Inky, Carmen, and Bright Eyes will all be together again - one sweet day! I love and miss you, sweet girl.

10/14/19:
Fall is here and it is getting cooler outside. Sometimes, Buttons, I go out on the balcony and look for you to be laying in the grass or running across the parking lot. I feel like you are still out there with all the trees, grass, and flowers. I still call your name sometimes hoping you might come home again.......I don't want to stop calling your name. I still miss you so, Buttons. It doesn't get easier with the passage of time. The loss seems more profound as each day passes. I try to stay hopeful Buttons but it's easy to get discouraged. Isabella gets awfully lonely without you. And so do I. I'd give anything if you, me, Isabella, and Inky could all go outside and play again. I love and miss you so, Buttons. You will always be in my heart, baby girl.

10/16/19:
I saw a deer standing in the parking lot tonight. I yelled "Buttons" and her ears twitched. She than ran off down Meridian. Was that you, Buttons? I'm really going through a bad spell right now. Thank you, sweet girl.

2/29/20:
It's getting warmer outside, Buttons. The sun was shining brightly today and I know you would've liked to roll around in the grass and on the side walk. I still miss you so much, precious girl. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of you. I like it when I find a feather on the grass. Are you thinking of me too? I think sometimes that I will never get over losing you. Some things you just don't heal from. You were the best friend that I ever had and you were more full of life than any creature that I have known. I see you in my dreams from time to time. What I wouldn't give to reach behind me when I'm sitting in my rocking chair and scratch your head again. Or let you into the dryer when it is still warm. You loved it so! Please look out for me and Isabella. She misses you so. I do hope that you visit her from time to time. Sometimes she wants to go outside real late at night and I wonder if she is going out to see you. She doesn't do it very often so it makes me wonder. I love and miss you, precious girl. You will always be in my heart. Please stay near forever if you can.

3/8/20:
Missing you so much these days, Buttons. You were my bright ray of sunshine each day and I miss you so. My heart hurts so much this time of year. It was about this time of year in 2007 that you, Isabella, Inky, and Carmen came into my life. It's so hard. I just feel so lost without you at times. I just wish you were still here with me. I love and miss you, Buttons. Thank you for loving me. I don't have anyone really to love me anymore except for your sister, Isabella. I am grateful for that at least. Go run, and play with the stars tonight! I will be thinking of you!

4/22/20:
Just wanted to say "hi" Buttons and that I still miss you very much. A lot of changes have taken place this past year - some good, some not. I still think about you every day. I look at the chair by the tv - the one that you used to curl up on. I still wish you here, pretty girl. My bright ray of sunshine is missing and it hurts so. I love and miss you, Buttons. I always will and will grieve until the day I die. Isabella misses you too. She gets so lonesome sometimes. I wish you guys could still chase each other around the apartment and play like you used to. I miss you so. Have fun and visit me and Isabella from time to time. I love you, precious girl.

6/15/2020:
Well Buttons, it's been 3 years since I last saw your sweet face. I still miss you so. Isabella gets lonesome too. I like to think that you are still here beside me, even though I can't see you. I often think of you when I'm in the bathroom. You used to love to get in the dryer when it was still warm. How I wish I could see you in there again! A lot has changed Buttons since you passed. Some good, some not. My heart still aches for you. I love you sweet girl. I hope you are running and playing in the grass like you used to here. I still call your name every so often from my balcony like I used to. Maybe you'll come running across the grass again! I love and miss you, Buttons. Watch over me and Isabella, if you can.

7/8/2020:
Isabella passed today. I know you were there, Buttons, to help her cross the rainbow bridge. At her final breath, she stretched out like she used to do when laying on the floor. I know that she probably saw you and jumped to the other side. I am heartbroken that now the both of you have passed. It is so sad and I feel empty. Rest in peace, sweet Isabella - my precious girl.

8/26/2020:
Well, Buttons, your sister is with you now. The day that I dreaded so much finally came to pass. I hope the both of you are having fun running and playing in the sunshine and grass. It has been hard since Isabella passed. She got really sick in May and it went downhill really fast. It was a difficult and painful experience on July 8. I had the feeling that she leaped onto the rainbow bridge at the very end because she saw you there. I really can't believe that the both of you are gone. Neither one of you will ever have to worry about getting injured or sick again. There's such an empty place in my heart now. I frequently look out over the balcony at night and remember how you used to run across the grass and how Isabella would sit under the big leaves of the potted plants below. I'm very lost now, Buttons. I did get another cat. Her name is Rosie and she is very good hearted but a little rough around the edges. She can be feisty at times. But she's not you or Isabella and sometimes that makes me really sad. I'm trying to adjust the best I can but I just feel empty most of the time. Help Rosie out if you can. She's a really nice cat. Please, watch over me now, Buttons and Isabella. I love and miss you both so much.

9/10/2020:
I miss you Buttons and Isabella. It is so hard believing that the both of you are gone. It is so hard for me right now. I'd give anything if we could do it all again! I think about you guys a lot. I spend a lot of time looking at pictures in my photo album. I'm so grateful that I had the both of you. I think you saved me more than I saved you. It is getting cooler here and fall is around the corner. I love and miss you both so very much. I sometimes wonder how I will get along without you. Please help Rosie adjust to her new home and help her feel safe. Watch over me from time to time if you can. It's so empty here without you two. I love and miss you Buttons and Isabella. Have fun at the Rainbow Bridge and come visit me from time to time if you can.

9/21/2020:
Well, Buttons, another summer has passed and fall is around the corner. This will be the first fall/winter without you or Isabella since 2006. Hard to imagine. I miss you so, Buttons. I hope you and Isabella are having a fun time running through the grass and laying in the sun. I wish I was there with you sometimes. Rosie often behaves in the same way as you - she likes to get under the bed spread and she likes to sit on the back of the rocking chair. She likes chasing the shoe string. I love and miss you, Buttons. Take care of your sister, Isabella. I love and miss you both so much.

11/06/20:
Another fall and winter are coming, Buttons. I often think about you when I go out on the balcony at night. I remember how you used to lay in the grass across the street and how you would come running across the parking lot when I called you. I still call your name sometimes. I don't want to forget the sound of your name. I miss you and Isabella so much, sweet girl. It's been really hard since Isabella passed in July. Rosie tries really hard to be a good cat. She reminds me of you sometimes. It's hard to believe that's it's been 3 1/2 years since I last saw you and scratched your head. I'm getting old Buttons - these losses just seem to pile up and never end. I hope you are running and playing in the grass with your sister, Isabella. I love and miss you both so much. Come visit from time to time if you can.

12/08/20:
Another winter without you sweet girl. And the first winter in a long time without Isabella as well. I miss seeing you each day, Buttons. It's really hard this time of year to feel hopeful about anything. My heart yearns for you and Isabella. I wish I could reach behind me when I'm sitting in the rocking chair and scratch your head like I used to. I wish you could get in the warm dryer again. I hope you and Isabella are having fun in the warm sunshine and green grass. I love and miss you, Buttons. I always will.

1/21/21:
I'm having a rough time of it today, Buttons. I miss you and Isabella so much. Some days it is too much to bear. I miss seeing your sweet face every day. I miss you laying on the back of my rocking chair and I could reach back and scratch your head. I don't know how to go on, Buttons. I feel so gutted and raw right now. I found a couple of feathers at the park this afternoon so maybe you and Isabella are closer than I realize. I love and miss you so much, sweet girl. I hope there is a warm dryer at the Rainbow Bridge for you to get in and nap! I remember how you loved that. I love and miss you, sweet girl. Please send some love and positive energy my way if you can.

2/8/21:
I love and miss you, sweet girl. It's been 7 months since Isabella passed and I miss you both so much. The last couple of weeks have been really hard. I feel grief stricken from the inside out. Like my soul has been cut away. I hope you a warm dryer to lay in and green grass to stretch out on. I love and miss you both so much. Some days I don't think I can make it. Please help me out, Buttons, if you can. I hope that you and Isabella can watch over me and Rosie. Come visit if you can. I love and miss you, Buttons.

3/1/21:
Happy Birthday, sweet girl. I love and miss you, Buttons. I wish you could come back and make my heart whole again. Save me a place at the Rainbow Bridge.

5/09/21:
I still love and miss you, Buttons. It is getting warm outside and I can't help but think about you rolling around on the sidewalk or laying in the grass. I hope you and Isabella have a nice, sunny spot to lay in when the sun comes up each morning. As time goes by, the more empty and lonely I feel. I try and keep you and Isabella in my heart. The both of you were the best thing that ever happened to me. You were the best friends that I ever had and I miss you both so much. Take care, Buttons, until we meet again! That will be a great day, won't it?

5/27/21:
This day is always hard for me, sweet girl. I can't believe it's been 4 years since I last saw your sweet face. I still love and miss you so much, Buttons. I so wish things had turned out different that day. My heart is still broken from losing you. You were such a bright ray of sunshine and so full of life! It is getting warmer and the grass is green. I can't help but think about you and Isabella running and playing in the grass across the street. I know how you loved to run and play and climb trees. I bought some roses for you today. Just to let you know that I still think about you every day. I hope you and Isabella have a nice, warm, sunny spot to lay in each day. I miss you laying behind me on the rocking chair and scratching your head. The dryer is still warm after it turns off - how you loved to lay inside of it! I will always remember that. I miss you sitting on the window sill of the workout room across the street when I would be exercising. Oh, Buttons, I feel like I've lost so much with both you and Isabella passing away. It's just not the same - and it never will be. My heart has been broken too many times I guess. My 2 best friends are gone. I know that you are here in spirit but I so long to hold and caress your sweet face. I'll never understand why you had to leave. You and Isabella were the best thing to ever happen to me. Thank you, Buttons, for loving me and being my friend. Thanks for all the wonderful times that we had together. Until we are together again - one sweet day! I love and miss you, Buttons. You are such a precious and wonderful soul and I was blessed to have you in my life. Please Buttons, stay with me forever and ever.

7/09/21:
Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of Isabella's passing. I love and miss you, Buttons. When I still had Isabella, I still had a little bit of you still with me too. Now you are both gone. It's so very hard, Buttons. Such a big empty place in my heart now. My heart is so heavy some days. I hope you and Isabella are having a great time at the Rainbow Bridge. Please come to visit when you can. I love and miss you, Buttons.

8/21/21:
I love and miss you, Buttons. I'm going through a really hard time right now. Please send me some of your love and kindness. I'm so in need of right now. It it warm outside and I often go out on the balcony and night. Thinking of you and Isabella, of course. I hope you have a warm dryer to lay in, Buttons. I love and miss you, sweet girl. I don't know how I will go on without you and Isabella. Look out after me if you can. I'm tired and weary, Buttons. Maybe someday I will understand why you and Isabella had to pass away. I love and miss you, sweet girl.

9/14/21:
Well Buttons, another summer has come and gone without you. The sun is starting to set earlier and it is getting cooler. I'm starting a new job tomorrow. I'm going back to Dollar Tree. Remember that I worked there back in 2013? I think that was the year that you got caught outside in a rain storm and you came home covered in mud. That was so funny! I had to wash you off in the bathtub! I'll never forget that. I miss you and Isabella so much. I often sat outside on the balcony this summer and thought of you and Isabella running and playing in the grass. Rolling around in the dirt on the sidewalk! How I miss it so! I've been really sad and down the last month or so Buttons. I guess that I'm grieving so many different things. The loss of you and Isabella makes my heart hurt everyday. I try to be nice to Rosie and not expect her to be like you or Isabella but it is hard sometimes. I loved you both so much. Another fall is upon us, Buttons. I love and miss you so much, sweet girl. Please help me out from time to time if you can. Give me the strength and courage that I need to go forward. I love and miss you, Buttons.

11/23/21:
I love and miss you very much, Buttons. It's cold and windy outside right now. Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away. I try to be thankful this year for having both you and Isabella in my life. I try not to focus on you not being here anymore but it is really hard. The Dollar Tree job didn't work out this time, unfortunately. I wish it could've been like it was in 2013 but the store is 10x busier now than it was. It was just too tiring and exhausting. Very disappointing. Oh well, maybe I'll find something better. I've been taking walks down at the park at night. I look at the starts and I know that you and Isabella are up there keeping watch over me. I know that you both must be the brightest stars in the sky. Not sure what 2022 holds for me, Buttons. I still get very depressed and sad at times when I think about you and Isabella. I love you both so very much, sweet girl. I hope it is nice, warm and sunny where you are. Help me out when you can, Buttons. I get very lonely, depressed, and discouraged at times and it is hard to go on. I try to remember all the love that you and Isabella gave me and keeps me going. I love and miss you, Buttons.

1/02/22:
I love and miss you very much, Buttons. Another year has come and gone without year. I feel as each new year begins, the farther away from me you become. I'm very sad and have been so for the last several months. I hope it is warm and sunny where you and Isabella are. It is very cold here today. I love and miss you, sweet girl.

1/30/22:
Just wanted to say that I love and miss you very much, Buttons. It is becoming more difficult and painful to get through each day. I'm quickly losing hope not only for myself but for the country and world at large. I look forward to the day that I can be with you and Isabella again. Help me out if you can, Buttons. I need someone to watch over and help me each day. I love and miss you, sweet girl.

4/05/22:
Springs is here, Buttons. You would love it outside right now. The sun is shining and the grass is green. I always remember how much you loved to be outside. I think of you often when I look out from the deck. I love and miss you so much, sweet girl. The days are just too hard for me anymore without you and Isabella. I don't know how I'm going to get through it all. Please visit from time to time, Buttons. I love and miss you so.

5/27/22:
My precious, sweet Buttons. Today is the hardest day for me. The 5th anniversary of your passing. I miss you more and more each day, sweet girl. My heart is very heavy at times, especially today. I went outside and laid some yellow wildflowers where you passed away. I thought you might like that. You loved being outside so much. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and Isabella. I so much miss you sweet, bright face. I miss reaching behind me on the rocking chair and scratching your head. I miss you wanting to get in the dryer when it was still warm. The older I get Buttons, the harder it is. It seems like an eternity since you were here, physically. I know that you are near now too, even though I can't see you. Thank you, Buttons, for loving me and blessing me in so many different days. I try to have the same happy disposition that you used to have but it is difficult for me. You were such a happy spirit and soul. I often think of you laying in the grass across the street like you used to do. You loved it so much. Funny - Rosie came over to the work out center last night and sat on the window sill like you used to do. I never thought she would do that. I guess you gave her a nudge to do so. I love and miss you, Buttons. You are forever in my heart and soul. Save a place for me next to you and Isabella at the Rainbow Bridge. One sweet day, we'll be together again and get to play like we used to. One sweet day!

9/16/22:
Another summer has come and gone without you, sweet girl. I often think of you during the summer. I remember how much you loved laying in the green grass, climbing trees, and rolling around on the sidewalk. I love and miss you so, Buttons. Life isn't the same without you and Isabella. I feel so broken inside and alone. You and Isabella gave me a reason to keep going for so many years. Now, I feel adrift with nowhere to go. I wish I could go back and time and stay there with you and Isabella. I wonder if you and Isabella miss all the things we used to do together. I know that you're in a beautiful place, though. I often gaze at the parking lot at night and remember how you used to run home. I remember how you used to lay in the grass across the street. I miss so many things, Buttons. My heart is so broken now and I'm not sure it will ever really mend. Send me some love and watch over me and Rosie, Buttons. I need your love now more than ever. I love and miss you so, sweet girl.

01/01/23:
It's hard to believe that you've been gone for 5 1/2 years, Buttons. I miss you so much. This past fall and winter have been really difficult for me. I quit my part-time job at the end of August and I haven't done much since. My older brother, Jim, died in November. I feel really alone and don't see much good in the future. I wish you were still here so I could reach behind me in the rocking chair and scratch your head. Or watch you chase the laser light. I often look up at the stars and night and wonder if you are in a warm, sunny place. With lots of grass. My LED cat light comes on at random sometimes. I wonder if it is you and Isabella! I love and miss you so much, sweet girl. Watch over me and Rosie if you can. I love and miss you so, Buttons.

3/14/23:
I feel very tired and worn out, Buttons. There's not much that interests me right now. I'm having a hard time trying to find a reason to get out of bed everyday. Not having you and Isabella has been and always will be difficult. Rosie tries hard but she doesn't fill the empty space that you and Isabella had inside me. I don't know anymore Buttons. I'm just tired and weary of trying to survive. It is about to be spring and I look outside and remember the green grass that you loved to lay in across the street. Someday Buttons, we will be able to play outside again. We won't have to worry about getting old, sick, or injured. I very much look forward to the day that you, me, and Isabella will be together again. I love and miss you, Buttons.

5/27/23:
It's hard to believe, Buttons, that you have been gone for 6 years. Today was really hard for me. The 27th falls on a Saturday this year just like it did in 2017. I still love and miss you so much, sweet girl. I'm getting more tired and weary as the years go by. It seems like you and Isabella have been gone for so long. I miss scratching your head and letting you in the dryer to get warm. Oh, Buttons, I wish things had turned out different that day but it didn't. I left a flower on the spot of grass where you body laid 6 years ago. I look forward to seeing you and Isabella again one sweet day!

7/25/23:
Buttons, Rosie passed away last Monday, Aug. 17. Help her out if you can. She will be new to the Rainbow Bridge and needs new friends. Look out after her. She's a sweet little cat. I love and miss her. I am so sad that she is gone. I love and miss you too, Buttons. One sweet day, we will all be together again!

12/16/23:
It's been a tough winter, Buttons. I have felt really out of sorts and down this year. I feel very heavy and tired and unmotivated. I miss you so much, sweet girl. I wish I could just reach out and scratch your head again. Or let you into the warm dryer. It's just so hard right now, Buttons. I think everything that has happened in my life is finally catching up to me. I hope you have been able to help Rosie out. I miss her terribly but I'm glad that she's not sick anymore. And that she can see as far and as wide as she wants with both eyes. Oh, Buttons, I wish we could go back in time and play again. Sit on the grass across the street in the summer in the sunshine. I love and miss you so much, Buttons.

3/3/24:
I've been thinking of you and Isabella a lot lately. I'm fostering a calico kitten - her name is Daisy. I can't help but be reminded of you and Isabella when you were that age. I frequently think of you both and miss you so. It doesn't get any easier, Buttons. The hole in my heart is still there from when you passed on 5/27/17. God, I love you so. Spring is right around the corner. I hope it is sunny and warm where you are. I miss you so, Buttons. What I wouldn't give to scratch your head and let you in the warm dryer again! I would give anything if you and Isabella were still here with me. The loss of you both has left me broken and I don't much think that I'll ever recover. Come visit Buttons when you can. I love and miss you so.