In Memory of Harry

Mine and Harry’s journey began 18 years ago when my then roommate left him behind not too long after his first year.  He has recently stepped off this journey and I’m having to learn to move forward without my Sunshine, without my Dear Sweet Boy, without my Little Cat.  What I have now are memories; some brilliantly colored, some faded to transparency and every one so precious, so dear, so sweet….. as he was. 
 
There was much that Harry loved besides me.  If there was a paper bag open, a box on its side, a cupboard closed- he was found in it.  He loved to go behind an open door and yell at the wall, loved to catch and eat moths, loved to be chased up and down halls and loved to sit on stairways to bat at people through railing slats in hopes of play.  He loved making new friends whether human or non and never needed to have a territory.  He loved talking and had a meow for every situation- the conversations we carried on through the years could fill novels.  But what he loved most was being kissed on the side of his face and especially at the base of his ear.   
 
Cancer found him in his 15th year. When he was diagnosed with 7 other ailments over these last 4 years, he rallied many many times but grew increasingly battle weary.  Though his body was succumbing, his spirit never did.  On the days he felt good, he still enjoyed occupying boxes, bags and cupboards, yelling at the walls, voicing his opinion on everything and spent hours comforted in my arms with kisses on his face.  He fought, and fought for years, against all that ailed him but my Sunshine began to fade to dusk and the battles came too fast and were too hard.
 
On the day I sent him on his way, he went bathed in sunshine and my tears, my hands on him and my love surrounding him.  When I laid that final kiss upon his face, I knew I had fulfilled my promise to him.  The day he was diagnosed with cancer, I promised Harry that I’d see him gentle into this and thanks to Lori’s compassion and my mom’s unwavering support; I was able to do that. 
 
Goodbye my Sunshine, my Dear Sweet Boy, my Little Cat, .  I will always love you.  Forever thank you. 
 
Harry Lucas – 4/4/90 – 10/8/09
 
- Jodie Lucas, Portland, OR