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Saturday, April 7, 2012

G is for GYPSY_Feline Life Lessons

What is Gyspy doing here?

Gypsy is a recurring character in GHOST WRITERS IN THE SKY and

a heroine in her own flash fiction, GYPSY'S TALE:
http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/2010/12/gypsys-tale-you-call-this-safe.html

To me GYPSY means UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ...

and she taught by example :

1.) How to take adversity -

A.) She was three years old when abandoned by those she trusted,

mauled by feral cats,

and tricked into my apartment by the sound of crunchies in a cat food box.

B.) She could have chosen to be untrusting, afraid of every sound, wildly destructive --

acting out her anger at those who betrayed and hurt her.

C.) Instead she was kind, patient, loving,

and the most intelligent cat I have ever known.

Intelligence.

Maybe it comes down to that, being intelligent enough to know not to drag the hurtful past with you

but to only bring the sweeter, purer parts of your nature into your future,

thus making it filled with love, understanding, and warmth.

D.) I shall try to learn from her quiet, loving example -- though I know I will not ever equal it.

2.) Love never demands ...

Not once did she meow for food.

She merely sat by my side, looking up with open, imploring, expectant eyes.

And she was rewarded with the best food I could buy for her.

3.) Love still needs reassurance ...

I had surgery some years back that necessitated me being gone for three days,

though Sandra came to feed Gypsy.

Since that time, Gypsy would leap into my bed at night,

snuggling under the crook of my left arm when I turned on my left side, facing the room.

It was as if she needed the reassurance that I was still there,

then she could relax and fall asleep.

I shall try always to reassure those I love that I am there so that they can relax in the darkness.

4.) Love is inventive, supportive of what the other likes ...

Gypsy invented the game of Ear Plug.

Finding one of my ear plugs dangling from my computer counter,

she commenced to bat it like a punching bag.

And thus was born our eternal game of Ear Plug.

Though she loved more the game of laser tag.

And she loved sitting on the puffy arm of my recliner,

watching the same DVD's over and over again.

Because it was the company that mattered not the movie.

I will remember that in the future, seeking to find enjoyment in those things my friends love because I love my friends.

5.) Love makes a hard day softer if ...

No matter how harsh or hard my day had been, my steps became lighter the closer to the end of the work day (night) came.

I knew that when I entered my apartment ...

Gypsy would be seated on the end of my bed,

facing the front door (efficiencies are just big bedrooms).

{Although with all the bookcases, it could double as a library.

And with all the signed movie posters, it could be mistaken for a movie lobby}

No endless refrain of "You just don't know how lousy my day has been!"

Only a happy purring as she nuzzled the top of her head against my open right palm,

as I recited our mantra, "The force is with you, young Gypsy, but you are not a Jedi yet."

She would stoically endure my kiss on the top of her head to get to the good stuff :

Food! Food Guy was home!

So I learned from her why we are given one mouth but two ears.

To listen more than we talk. And listening always should come first.

6.) Love never hurts those it loves ... Gypsy never scratched me.

Not once. I can't say that of any other cats. Gypsy has spoiled me. I probably will never get another cat.

Gypsy was one of a kind. I would only be disappointed in any other cat.

Even today when I hurt her sensitive, enlarged right kidney, she never turned to scratch.

She yowled from the pain and hissed. But never scratched.

I do not think I can say I have never hurt those I loved.

But Gypsy has given me a loving, courageous example to copy.

7.) Every HELLO holds a GOOD-BYE behind it.

But the last GOOD-BYE promises an eternal HELLO.

Today after Gypsy had been given Twilight Sleep as if to prep for surgery,

she gazed into my eyes with her amber ones

that seemed to know this was our last good-bye.

Gypsy steadily gazed lovingly into my eyes with a calmness that comes from being in the arms of one you love.

Gypsy seemed to silently say,


"Don't cry, Roland. There's a HELLO coming for the two of us that will never end."

And I choose to believe Gypsy's eyes.
***
I always end with music. But there is nothing worthy of Gypsy and all she taught me.

So I will end with the haunting poem Francine gave me today.

The one I will always think of as "Gypsy's Song."

"We have a secret, you and I that no one else shall know,
for who but I could see you lie each night in fire glow?

And who but I could reach my hand before we went to bed
and feel the living warmth of you and touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind so young again, and free."

16 comments:

  1. Hi Roland. I remember your posts when Gypsy was alive. This is such a warm tribute to a courageous and loving Gypsy. How our pets creep into our hearts, giving unconditional love. My little dog Foxy Lady fulfils that role for me. She always lies on her bed behind me when I'm at the computer, waiting for a pat or the slightest hint that we're off for a run.

    RIP Gypsy! What else could you do for 'G'?

    Denise

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  2. Hi Roland .. as Denise says I remember your heartfelt loss at Gypsy's going .. and this is very special. For some reason that unconditional love animals give us is just so wonderful and we really ought to learn so much from their way of life ..

    Gypsy, my cat, my dog .. and others they all tear our heart strings for many a year to come ..

    With thoughts - but a great G post - Gypsy has the HELLO waiting for sometym ... cheers Hilary

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  3. Sounds like Gypsy was an amazing animal; it's a shame that they're gone.

    I'm a fan of playing laser tag with pets too - there is no way I can get bored of that game!


    Jamie
    Fellow A-Z bloggy buddy
    Mithril Wisdom

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  4. Pets are so special and bring great love and comfort to their human consorts. This was a very special post!

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  5. Denise:
    There was no choice as you said. The ghost of Gypsy insisted. :-)

    Hilary:
    Thanks for the understanding, kind comment.

    Thank you, Jamie:
    I promise tomorrow's post will be more uplifting. Isn't laser tag great with our pets?

    Danielle:
    Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to my friends, but I am working at the blood center solo this holiday weekend. Thanks for the kind words, Roland

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  6. That was so beautiful, Roland. I have a 14 year old cat who will someday take Gypsy's journey and I hope I handle it with as much love and dignity as you did. I recently lost a human friend and this tribute brought tears to my eyes (in a good way).

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  7. Animals know how to give unconditional love better than any.

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  8. What a beautiful tribute to gorgeous Gypsy! Take care
    x

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  9. Jennifer:
    I am saddened to hear you've lost someone close to you. Friends re-create us in a way, for we become someone we weren't before they interacted with us. They give birth to a new world for us, one that is seen through their eyes and the eyes of the person we become with them. My prayers are with you.

    I pray your cat stays with you for many more years. Hey, miracles happen. :-)

    Alex:
    You're so right. Gypsy was my teacher in that.

    Kitty:
    Thank you. May you have a blessed Easter that is only filled with happy surprises, Roland

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  10. I'm so sorry. Gypsy was a fabulous teacher, and I think you were a great student.

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  11. Thanks, Lara:
    You are very kind. Gypsy was indeed a great teacher. Happy Easter, Roland

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  12. She sounded like a very wise cat.

    After putting both Calvin and Hobbes to sleep now several years ago, I know the pain of looking into their eyes one last time. It won't be any easier when it's time for Rocko and Spunky either, even though Rocko has been a problem child from the beginning.

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  13. Thanks, Diane:
    Sometimes it is the problem child that tugs most at our hearts when they are too ill to be a rascal.

    May your Easter be healing and special, Roland

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  14. It's never easy to lose a pet, especially one who's been comforting for us. RIP, Gypsy.

    Our cat became diabetic and after 4 years we had to say good-bye, too. I eventually wrote a post with the cat as the guest blogger. (We rescued him from a shelter.)

    Here's the link to the post, if you're interested,
    http://dghudson.blogspot.ca/2011/04/street-cat-tale.html

    Enjoyed this post, Roland.

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  15. Gypsy may have told you not to cry Roland, but she didn't tell me.

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  16. D.G.
    Heading there now. Thanks for understanding.

    Sarah:
    What a beautiful thing to say. The ghost of Gypsy is purring at your words. Thank you, Roland

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