The super-sized Beignet has never seen eye-to-eye with me on the subject of early rising. I like to sleep to the last possible moment and then leap out onto the day, taking full advantage of the element of surprise. I'm told Napoleon did the same. But this long-haired, ginger and white is absolutely up and about with the larks every morning.
Having bounded onto the bed, he licked me in the right eye, then curled up and settled in with his head on my arm.
"Isn't that sweet?" said the Wonder who had shimmered into the room. I could not fully subscribe to this point of view. What is sweet about getting out of bed before God wakes, only to go back to sleep again? Silly, it struck me as.
I extricated myself from the cat and brought myself to a fully upright position, the better to slosh a half-cup of tissue restorer into the abyss. It was only then that I realized Ms Wonder was knee-deep in boxes, looking like a sea-goddess walking on the rocky shore.
"Unpacking?" I asked.
"Getting the Halloween stuff out. I thought it might help to keep busy today."
"Then unpack 'till your ribs squeak," I said, "and let me help."
It seems nothing applies the healing balm like anticipation of the holidays and our hearts were in need of healing. Lucy, that little princess of sweetness and light has been adopted by another and is even now getting used to her new surroundings.
It's an excellent situation for her, of course, being the absolute center of attention and becoming a member of a permanent family. Still, it leaves a void for us left behind. When Lucy left, it seems the sunshine and bluebirds followed her.
We love you, Lucy, and we miss you terribly and if history is any indication, we always will. I will always remember being wakened by your tiny, cold, wet nose.
Be happy and healthy little girl.