Day 1087 Hope

 

Throwing it back 15 years… holy cow, does time fly! Tim and I threw a summer party (shocking, I know): food, friends, and fun times. It makes me realize we’ve been slacking a bit on our summer entertaining… maybe next year we’ll resurrect our summer bash and go all out.

Yes, this is me trying to focus on a happy memory instead of my current sadness with our missing Peps. She was last seen on Thursday and hasn’t come home since. It’s not looking promising, and neither Tim nor I want to imagine what might have happened to her. We sat quietly on the deck, both sad, wishing we’d see her come running up the yard—but no such luck.

I can’t even talk about it without tearing up, so I try to not think about it... although impossible. We love our Peps so much, and the house just doesn’t feel the same without her. I woke up several times through the night, dreaming she was at the back door, and four times I got up to check—hoping.

Cats have a way of carving out a place in our hearts and families. Peps has been part of ours for as long as Tim and I have been together. She was originally my son’s cat, but when he moved out, we crossed our fingers she’d stay with us—and lucky for us, she did. Without Peps, it’s just me, Tim, and the chickens… and honestly, I’m not sure I can live without a cat.

I keep thinking maybe she wandered into someone’s shed and accidentally got locked in… maybe they’ll open the door soon, and she’ll come running home, hungry and annoyed. That’s the best-case scenario, and though the longer time goes by, the less likely it seems, I’m just not ready to lose hope. Cats have a way of surprising us.

We’ve felt all the good vibes being sent our way—thank you for that. I just can’t talk about it right now.

So, here’s to holding on to hope, to planning joyful things for the future, and to remembering how lucky we are to have known such love—even in the shape of a tiny white cat.

Until next time, hug your pets a little tighter and enjoy the sunshine while it's here!