Mom. Get. A. Grip.
I was born August 17, 2004, two days after Grandma's birthday and two days before yours. I get it, Mom, that makes me "magical". But I was tired, Mom. Remember how I was always hopping up on the sink to drink? In recent weeks I didn't even want to leave the sink. My kidneys were failing. I know you know this, but I want to stress: I needed to go. And I'm telling you, up here in Kitty Heaven I have perfect health (not to mention all the mice and peas I can eat, not necessarily together!) I am back to my fighting weight of 13.7 pounds and I'm a permanent age 7. That was a good age for me, don't you think? That was 2011, when we lived in New Haven and then you had to schlepp us around for awhile til you found another place. I didn't mind. It was always an adventure, even waiting for the bus in some of the less posh areas of the city.
But in all seriousness, now I see you crying, Mom. I see you doubled over with grief. You are still grieving the death of Grandma, too .... I get it. But guess what: she left a message for me when I checked in. She wanted me to tell you she is proud of you, how you've handled all this. She also said she hopes you will find a proper job soon because you have to repay that student loan.
Oh Mom, I miss you. I loved sleeping on your head, stealing peas and chicken from your pot pies, jumping from bed to bed. You were always so amused. Remember when I sat on the green cloth over the box last week? You thought I was springing back to life, but really, I just wanted to give you one last Instagrammable video. I thought of you before me, I always did. You were the best mommy ever, even though yes I did miss my own mom, the one who laid on my box when you took me home from the breeder's in Brooklyn.
Oh Mom, dry your tears. I am so happy here. There are great pastures for me to run around in and did I mention the mice? I have our picture right beside me, you know, this one:
Ha ha ha. Now maybe looking at this you'll miss me a little less? Remember how feisty I was before I got sick? Remember when I lunged at your leg and caused that scar you still have on your right shin? That was because I was chasing Little Cat and then she darted into Grandma's bedroom. I saw you instead and you were just fresh meat to me. Sorry, Mom. I was an animal after all.
I love you, Mom. I promise I will write soon.
All my love, Wally.
