Tucker’s ashes came to me this week, and his place has been prepared.
With each of the others who have died, there was one picture that I had in mind for the memorial. Usually it was an image taken by a professional photographer, in most cases for the cats’ page in the PAW Society calendar. Though Tucker too had his photo session for that purpose, I chose not to use one of those photos.
Strangely, the professionally produced images are more typically Tucker than the one I selected. I prefer those which show a typical aspect of the cat, as it presents him or her ‘in general’, as it were. But this time, I chose one that demonstrated a particular feature, rather than a general one.
I sometimes called Tucker the baby of the family. He was not the youngest of the First Four - that is Renn – but, with his chubby-cheeked face - chubby until recently - and his roly poly fatness, he gave the impression of being the child. He also needed more care through the years, and certainly could never have looked after himself, if required. So I chose what I think of as the Tuxter’s ‘baby picture’ for framing.
There is a void in my world now, where Tucker had been. New routines will develop to cover that void, but they will never completely fill it. Only Tucker could do that.
He was my friend. His name was Tucker, and I will remember him.
Sweet and precious memories of your wonderful Tucker.
ReplyDeleteA lovely remembrance of your sweet boy. Hold fast to the sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post. You're correct - When we lose one of our cats, it creates a void which can never be filled. Oh, we learn to adapt and continue on with our regular daily lives, but we will always miss the cat that is gone. But we have our memories and hopefully in time, they will help to heal our pain. May the pain you're now feeling be eased soon, John.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all you've written about my cats. It is your remembrance of them as well as mine that keep them alive.
DeleteWe love your memorial table with photos of all of your precious friends. Tucker was a special boy and will be missed.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweetie, you'll remember and love him forever.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful photo of your sweet boy.
ReplyDeleteThat is a sweet picture to remember Tucker with. And I love how you have created a memorial area for all your kitties who are angels now.
ReplyDeleteI hope there might soon be a covering of sorts over that void spot...it won't make the hole go away, but it will help to make is less painful.
(( ♥ )))
Certainly! We will ALL remember him..!
ReplyDeleteBless!x
Thank you for your kind words and thoughts about my boys and girls, Willie. They will help their memories remain green.
DeleteThat is such a sweet photo of Tucker. ♥
ReplyDeleteI'll echo all the comments, especially Roberta's. We never "get over" missing our beloved companions, we just adapt to their absence.
Wishing you peace, John. Lots of hugs and nose taps from us.
Lovely photo of your boy. He's left you with a hole in your heart and hope time eases your pain.
ReplyDeleteYour memory wall brought back memories and tears. I started reading your blog a few months before Tungsten passed. Your writing always brought out their personalities and I felt like I knew them well even though I had never met them. I know I'll never forget Tucker or the rest of the gang. You brought them to life for your readers.
I didn't know you'd been reading the blog for so long. You know all of my cats, then. Thank you for following their adventures, and what you have said about Tucker and all the others. It will keep them alive for me.
DeleteI agree with Patty--thanks to the beautiful way you've written about all your cats, I feel like they're practically part of my own cat family.
DeleteI like the memorials for the family that went on ahead. oops...gotta run...literally. See you later.
ReplyDeleteYou always write so beautifully about your cats and tell us stories that bring them to life to us your readers. It hurts us in a different way when their short lives come to a close, but hurts nevertheless. Farewells are never easy and dealing with the changes of loss is complicated. We will never forget your sweet Tucker.
ReplyDeleteHow good that you two found each other.
ReplyDeleteAll that you’ve written about Tucker reminds me of how I felt after my first cat, Archie, died. He had been my best buddy from the time I was 2 until the age of 21. I was devastated when he passed on, and at the time I swore I’d never have another cat. And then, not long after that, someone dumped a tiny orange kitten in the alley behind our house…
ReplyDeleteI very soon loved that cat dearly, as well. And I learned a lesson: you can love someone, lose them, mourn, and still love again.
Yes, there are no limits to love. It's the only thing you can give all of to one person or animal - and still have more for others.
DeleteThat is a lovely photo of Tucker that you chose. You do such a wonderful job of telling us the stories of your cats that we get to know their personalities. We, your readers, feel a great loss along with you when one passes. Tucker will indeed leave a void and be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteI have been following for quite a few years now and also remember Tungsten well. She reminded me of my Kit, another tiny ginger lady.
Even united in grief for our missing cat friends, each of us has an intensely personal place from which we take each breath, each blink, each step, without our beloved. Although we can share, the kernel of the pain is deeply hidden inside.
ReplyDeleteI apologize. I headed to the hospital with a family member to the ER right after I was seated at the computer. So sorry to have been abrupt. I could easily echo each bloggers love and care as I think you already know. I will miss Tucker, and everyone else gone on without all of us...always... until I am not able to blog again. Even then, I will remember special cats in the blogging family.
ReplyDelete