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Koko
“When I die, I want to come back as one of your cats!” my mother-in-law, Mickey, joked whenever my husband and I visited. After moving from California to Las Vegas, my parents-in-law soon discovered that their beautifully organized new home, although closer to their grandchildren, felt rather empty. Shortly after the move, Harry’s inexorably progressing cancer began to take its toll on both his energy and Mickey’s spirit. Their lovely house seemed to echo in sadness and defeat, until one day Mickey took a stand in the form of a tiny tortoiseshell kitten. In honor of the kitten’s mischievous spirit and their new home in the Southwest, the kitten was christened “Kokopelli.” Kokopelli (Koko for short), quickly became the life of the house as she commandeered Harry’s sick bed and Mickey’s lap. She floated throughout the house like smoke, her blotchy fur acting as effective camouflage to cover her movements as she ranged between her people, the kitchen, and her favorite sleeping spots. Koko’s comforting purrs were a balm to Harry’s pain, and her high spirits gave fresh life and hope to Mickey through her struggles to care for Harry through his dark days. After Harry passed on, Koko would quietly soak up Mickey’s grief with her mottled fur until she deemed enough sorrow had flowed, and then she would rip around the house at top speed until Mickey’s tears of loss turned to laughter. Sadly, a short time later Mickey began her own battles with cancer, and Koko was her anchor throughout it all. As the end drew near Mickey asked us to care for Koko, secure in the knowledge that we would love and look after her beloved kitten until the three of them could be together again in the next world. A serious promise…and one we kept. Little Koko endured the long journey back to California, away from the only home she knew, with grace and confidence. As the miles clicked past, she simply gazed out of the windshield or slept on our laps, assured that we were all in this together. Although Koko joined our home just a short time ago, it is now impossible to imagine life without her. A friend recently wrote, “I am glad you chose to keep the cat, as it will always remind you of your mother-in-law and the cat will be happy to have a loving home.” Koko has joined the tribe. -- Anne Ahlman |
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