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This quick update is mostly depressing, I'm sorry to say. I hate to use livejournal only to communicate when something awful happens, but at the moment I need an outlet for my thoughts. I'm not looking for pity, that's for certain. If anybody needs pity and prayers, it's David, because all this misfortune has struck him more than it has me. Every two months since we were married, David has lost someone close to him. First, there was his friend and co-worker Andy, who died about three weeks after attending our wedding. Then, in September, his darling grandfather whom I loved, though I was only lucky enough to meet him twice. Then, on November 5th while we were in England, we received word that his grandmother had likewise died, which really wasn't so unexpected, as she was dependent on and devoted to her late husband. Exactly two months later, just two days ago, our cat died.
It was the most horrible thing I've ever seen, and a faster decline than I thought possible. Only once before in my life have I actually witnessed the process of dying, and in that case I had no particular connection with the animal, which had suffered an injury. Frisky had seemed healthy 48 hours before her death. I don't need to go into any details here, but by the time I realized something was definitely wrong and got her to the vet, there was nothing they could do. David left work early to come see her, and he made the final call to put her down. The injection only shortened her life by minutes, and David held her and talked to her until she was gone. In retrospect, I can see that she had been growing weaker over the previous seven or ten days, but even as I drove her to the vet on the 5th, I had every expectation of driving her home again. The shock of her sudden demise was very painful for both of us, but I can't fully comprehend the depth of David's loss.
That cat was his companion for 17 years. She was a Christmas present from his father when they lived in Germany, just as his parents were starting to go through their divorce. Frisky offered him comfort and consolation during an extremely trying period, went with him everywhere after that, except college. She was probably the best thing in his life for many years. She was not just a cat, but a constant. She was a tie to the past, good and bad, with innumerable memories attached to her. David thought about her all the time, so much so that I jokingly claimed to be jealous. He even sang her silly songs. I'm going to miss hearing him sing to her. She was extremely affectionate, though mostly she wanted David's attention rather than mine. But I loved her too, and we got along well, which is a rare thing for me and a cat. I miss the racket she made whenever the furnace turned on, as it just did while I sit here in a silent house.
It may sound like a minor concern in the grand scheme of the world, but I would definitely appreciate prayers of support. This weekend, David and I will be attending a memorial service for his grandparents at Arlington Cemetery, which is ridiculously grim timing. I know I'm going to be an emotional mess, and though David may not show it as readily, he will be too.
It was the most horrible thing I've ever seen, and a faster decline than I thought possible. Only once before in my life have I actually witnessed the process of dying, and in that case I had no particular connection with the animal, which had suffered an injury. Frisky had seemed healthy 48 hours before her death. I don't need to go into any details here, but by the time I realized something was definitely wrong and got her to the vet, there was nothing they could do. David left work early to come see her, and he made the final call to put her down. The injection only shortened her life by minutes, and David held her and talked to her until she was gone. In retrospect, I can see that she had been growing weaker over the previous seven or ten days, but even as I drove her to the vet on the 5th, I had every expectation of driving her home again. The shock of her sudden demise was very painful for both of us, but I can't fully comprehend the depth of David's loss.
That cat was his companion for 17 years. She was a Christmas present from his father when they lived in Germany, just as his parents were starting to go through their divorce. Frisky offered him comfort and consolation during an extremely trying period, went with him everywhere after that, except college. She was probably the best thing in his life for many years. She was not just a cat, but a constant. She was a tie to the past, good and bad, with innumerable memories attached to her. David thought about her all the time, so much so that I jokingly claimed to be jealous. He even sang her silly songs. I'm going to miss hearing him sing to her. She was extremely affectionate, though mostly she wanted David's attention rather than mine. But I loved her too, and we got along well, which is a rare thing for me and a cat. I miss the racket she made whenever the furnace turned on, as it just did while I sit here in a silent house.
It may sound like a minor concern in the grand scheme of the world, but I would definitely appreciate prayers of support. This weekend, David and I will be attending a memorial service for his grandparents at Arlington Cemetery, which is ridiculously grim timing. I know I'm going to be an emotional mess, and though David may not show it as readily, he will be too.
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(no subject)
Date: 2011-01-07 04:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-01-07 04:19 pm (UTC)I am glad that David has you, with all of these tragedies going on in his life. You are there to cry with him, hug him, and help him adapt to all of the changes in his life.
His grandparents were happy to know that he was married to a good woman and settled, and I think the cat, too, accepted that you are an important support to him in his life.
The timing is very upsetting, but I am glad that it happened after you were already married.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-01-07 05:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-01-07 06:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-01-08 10:58 am (UTC)