by Sue
Dear Misty,
it has been nearly 30 years since you have been gone. You were my friend, probably my best friend as I was growing up. When no one else was there, you were. You were my mother's baby, gift from her late husband. She told me how darling you were as a little fuzzball. I wasn't even born yet. My father was a real jerk a lot of the time, well, I'm sure you may remember. My mother was always so worried he would do something to hurt you. She really loved you so much. I wonder if you saw each other when she crossed the bridge. I wonder if she helped to send my now baby to me. Sometimes, sometimes its incredible how much she looks like you. I can put two photos together and one cannot really tell who is who in so many of them. She has been sick this week. I thought she was going to leave and cross the bridge. I don't know if I will be able to stand it if that day comes well, anytime. I love her so much. Sometimes I have wondered if she is you come back to me. She takes care of me like you did. She picked me out and loved me. She taught me to love. Where would I ever have been without you two. Back when I lost you, I never really got to miss you or feel sad. So much was always going on then. Not good things. Fighting things. Bad things. They took you away when I was in school. I knew it was going on. I didn't really know what it meant though. I don't know if I really said goodbye to you or not. I don't know if I would have understood it if I had. I know I missed you but I don't know how much or if I was really able to feel it that much. I had already begun growing away from my feelings then. I don't know exactly how old I was. I *thought* you were 18 when you left us but if you were born in 1959 or 60, your 18th year would have been 1977 or 78 and I know it was not that late. It was before then. It was hmmm did you know my sister? I think you did actually. Well, she was born in 1970 so yeah you almost had to have known her. I think I was 10 or 12 when you left us. I remember being at school that day and feeling empty inside because I knew they were taking you to be put to sleep. You were so pretty, so beautiful. I had a special name for you, "Prettina". I used to dress you up in doll clothes and funny paper hats and crowns. You never seemed to mind. You were such a good cat. You were my friend. I am finally crying for you as I sit here writing this. I loved you too. I just want you to know I have never forgotten you.