She wasn’t impressed with us, which wasn’t surprising – cats have no use for the people next door, especially when they have two felines of their own. But each year of the last thirteen, she’s allowed us to become a bigger part of her life, even leaving a few mice on the doorstep for us to enjoy. In the last couple of years, Mosi was downright affectionate – an unexpected grace from an unlikely source.
Last night, Mosi’s 20 year old body started to shut down. Since her owner is away, we kept her company through her last hours, making sure she was comfortable. This morning, my husband and older son buried her.
As it usually goes, we had no say in Mosi becoming our neighbor. All we could do was choose to enjoy or ignore her. We chose to enjoy her, and she chose to do the same with us – neighbors by choice as well as circumstance.
Thank you, Mosi, for making love thy neighbor a joyful adventure.
A few days ago our daughters were here to celebrate my birthday, and on the way to Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve, we drove past our old house in New Hope–the owner was happy to let us walk the yard–and we found the place where we had buried Gigot, our beloved cat. Being there for Mosi at the end was a gift to you, and of course to Mosi.
I remember when you lost your cat, David. How kind of the new owner to let you pay a visit. And a visit to the wildflower preserve – grace and beauty, and a birthday. peace, Johnna