In Memory: The Cat Stars

The Grand Old Cat had passed on. At least, I got to spend more time with him than I did my father in his last few days. I miss you, little one- you were a comfort for many things you had nothing but empathy to know about.

The Cat Stars

Shining in the morning sky, three planets come to conjunction. Normally, this would be a happy even for humans, but the cat community knew better, this time. Fur ruffled, claws sharpened, and extra eating and affection had been the order of the week. Now was the time to use that energy, an join together for the battle.

Even the she-cats, not known for their restraint during a season of heat were there. Flowing like a shadowed river, cats, from all sections of town, poured over the fences, pathways, and underbrush to meet in a school's small brick-fenced yard. No one could see them there, and they fell to grooming, mating and socializing. An unseen and unheard signal stopped all of this- the one mating that was going on was finished in a record time. Hundreds of eyes focused on the sky.

Clouds passed, wind driven and shredded into nothing more than shadows themselves. The moon had set, and still they watched. Cats continued to come in, like cloud-shadows themselves, to join the throng.. All sitting, and watching the sky.

A spark appeared. Nothing that would be outstanding to a human. But it unleashed a wave of emotion in the gathered felines. The rumors were true. One of their own had passed. The few that knew him personally were saddened, but knew he had a home- had helped raise children, had comforted his people, and watched them grow, and change. And leave. All remembered his sadness when one had left, and again, when another died. But, for the sake of those remaining, he was able to put aside his grief, and continue on. Still loved, still cared for. And those there allowed him his grief, and understood.

Fur twitches and tails told the stories he had shared. Of the move from his mother and sisters to the new home. Of exploring the house, an breaking things. Of a shift to another house, one that felt like home. The care that was shown by the person that got him- and the children he was able to help raise. The adventures of the people that came- and the tales of horror when the world was disturbed; by weather, or time change, or jobs. The distress of a hospital visit- and the joys of coming back to his family.

Young ones now had a reason to appreciate their families, and those cats that supported them. Strays would now consider being more friendly to humans, for a bit, in hopes of finding a good home. As the sun rose, all slipped back to their places- the inside cats to cuddle with the people who loved and protected them, and the outside ones to go visit the people that did care for them, an maybe give them an extra- or a first- purr.

The wind blew chill, the warm, as if he was saying goodbye to his friends. The sun rose, on a day of sadness and remembrance of the cat who had passed, and all of those who had memories of him.