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A Death in the Family - Part 2: The Resolution
10 years ago
Since I feel I am past the initial mourning phrase, I feel I should post an update journal on the matter of Ralphie, my favorite kitty cat pet.
Amongst the afternoon of his departure, of which I posted the Journal denoting his departure the morning of, minutes after waking and discovering this fact, I had buried Ralphie in the backyard near his favorite tree stump that he loved to play on and around. Figured it was the most suitable place for him.
For those who think I have recovered quickly from this, by my standards, I haven't. This hit me the hardest in many years.
I have experienced many family deaths in my time, both pet and people alike. Whenever I've worn formal attire, at least 2/3rds of the time, it was for a funeral. I can literally think of a dozen funerals off the top of my head that I've experienced. For this reason, I've sorta grown a bit numb to the concept of death... even my father admits that I've experienced more death then a typical person my age.
Despite this, the reason I've learned to handle it better is mostly because, I learn to see it coming, and mentally prepare myself for their passing... get comfortable with their death before it actually happens. That and being able to explain why they die.
This one... this one hit me really hard for a number of reasons.
#1) I normally see him daily, so his absence feels weird every single day; most family deaths happen for those family members I see once in a blue moon.
#2) I had no way to see it coming. Literally the day before, he was as happy and energetic as he always was. Plus, he was a kitten, not even a year old yet... it was only just time to get him fixed. I'm used to our cats living to be in their teens.
#3) I have no way to explain why he died... the best I can come up with was a birth defect or something, but I have no way to know for sure. It wasn't like he was hit by a car or something... at least then I can explain it in my bed and go "well, it happens".
#4) Him and me were tight. He very clearly bonded with me. He used to cuddle against my neck as a kitten, and liked to be wrapped up in my shirt, even as he grow up and got bigger and bigger. He was so adorable.... honestly, I think that's what I'll miss most of all.
So... yeah, I know I'll always miss him dearly... but at least I can move on with my life now.
Update: Today I learned a fact about Ralphie's Death. Based on sharing of stories, we figure that it was either a Raccoon or some sort of Shock. Either way, he didn't suffer any.
Amongst the afternoon of his departure, of which I posted the Journal denoting his departure the morning of, minutes after waking and discovering this fact, I had buried Ralphie in the backyard near his favorite tree stump that he loved to play on and around. Figured it was the most suitable place for him.
For those who think I have recovered quickly from this, by my standards, I haven't. This hit me the hardest in many years.
I have experienced many family deaths in my time, both pet and people alike. Whenever I've worn formal attire, at least 2/3rds of the time, it was for a funeral. I can literally think of a dozen funerals off the top of my head that I've experienced. For this reason, I've sorta grown a bit numb to the concept of death... even my father admits that I've experienced more death then a typical person my age.
Despite this, the reason I've learned to handle it better is mostly because, I learn to see it coming, and mentally prepare myself for their passing... get comfortable with their death before it actually happens. That and being able to explain why they die.
This one... this one hit me really hard for a number of reasons.
#1) I normally see him daily, so his absence feels weird every single day; most family deaths happen for those family members I see once in a blue moon.
#2) I had no way to see it coming. Literally the day before, he was as happy and energetic as he always was. Plus, he was a kitten, not even a year old yet... it was only just time to get him fixed. I'm used to our cats living to be in their teens.
#3) I have no way to explain why he died... the best I can come up with was a birth defect or something, but I have no way to know for sure. It wasn't like he was hit by a car or something... at least then I can explain it in my bed and go "well, it happens".
#4) Him and me were tight. He very clearly bonded with me. He used to cuddle against my neck as a kitten, and liked to be wrapped up in my shirt, even as he grow up and got bigger and bigger. He was so adorable.... honestly, I think that's what I'll miss most of all.
So... yeah, I know I'll always miss him dearly... but at least I can move on with my life now.
Update: Today I learned a fact about Ralphie's Death. Based on sharing of stories, we figure that it was either a Raccoon or some sort of Shock. Either way, he didn't suffer any.
