Just a Cat Poem

A tiny sad poem for today. I promise I’ll be back to making motivational comics again next week.

I use the phrase "hard to believe you were just a cat," and hopefully it doesn't come off in a callous way. What I really mean is that she filled so much space in my heart and mind that it's hard to believe she wasn't a person: an aunt, a friend, a sister. It's also used somewhat  symbolically because it's what I imagine people think when they hear my cat died: "Well... it's just a cat, right?" 

It's been super hard having known her for so long, and having the memories of her since I was a kid. It's hard to remember her going limp in my arms, and the feeling of torture afterwards, wondering if there was anything I could have done to prevent this happening. Now that she's gone I drift around the house and wonder what to do with myself. It was always a comfort having  her around, a reason to get out of bed in the morning. She warmed my heart with her little purring footsteps. Now that she's gone, there's a huge hole in my life.

 I've been leaning on making art pretty heavily so that I'll still have a reason to get up, get out. I'm actually really glad that I started "making something everyday," because it gives me a goal when I'm sitting there, wondering what to do with myself, thinking about her and missing her. 

Be happy today and always! I'm going to try to and be back and happy next week. xoxo

For Those Who Grieve

For those who grieve.

It's been a hard week. Making this and seeing the response to it has been a little bit of happiness to me. The hardest part about saying goodbye is the fact that you're reminded of all the goodbyes you've said through the years. 

Goodbye Maggie

This past weekend, one of my oldest friends passed away. My cat Maggie was a source of great inspiration to me over the 18 years that I knew her… This collage is just a slice of the many drawings I’ve made of her over the years. The poem, by Christina Rossetti, is a comfort for me now, as I come to grips with the fact that Mags isn’t here anymore. I keep seeing her ghost out of the corner of my eye, thinking I need to feed her or put some water in her bowl, wanting to pat her head as she follows me around the house.

Some may think it’s silly to grieve over a pet, so I guess I’m the silliest of them all. I loved her so much.

Thanks for reading and following… Today, a small bit of happiness comes from knowing people are responding to the work I do, and I really appreciate you guys now more than ever.

Thank you! xoxo

Here's a transcript of the poem:

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.