Archive for August, 2011

Literary Mileage
Earthquakes and Other Catastrophes

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Just last week I was praising the incredible gift of being alive every day to see the changing seasons, the view outside my living room window, and the fact that my life is good.

How could I know that on Tuesday I would experience an earthquake while I was deep underground in our Metro system. You’ve undoubtedly seen and heard about the 5.8 quake that struck this area. It has caused damage to many historical buildings, but no serious injuries or deaths that I’m aware of. Nevertheless, the National Cathedral’s majestic spire that is so prominent in the Washington skyline has been compromised, as has the Washington Monument.

That event would be followed by a personal kind of earthquake on Wednesday when I had to put one of my beloved cats to sleep. Jerry (of Ben and Jerry) had been dealing with chronic pancreatitis for several years. There was a predictable treatment course for his acute episodes. But this time, he didn’t bounce back. By Wednesday it became clear that he was dying. In order not to prolong our collective agony, I took him to Capital Cat Clinic where, with Dr. Brown’s help, Jerry died peacefully in my arms. I am so grateful for the clinic’s respectful compassion during such a sad time.

Ben keeps checking all of Jerry’s usual sleeping places. He is instantly alert to the slightest sound, positive that his buddy will stroll into the room at any minute. My heart breaks when I realize that I will no longer be greeted at the front door by that impish little white-streaked face of Jerry’s. His nine lives were compressed into ten and a half years of rambunctious energy that filled my apartment. His passing is poignantly tangible, especially on this rainy weekend when he would likely be curled up on the couch beside me. In spite of that, I’m relieved he’s at peace now.

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