It's been a rough few days. My little cat, Hobbes, was hit by a car on friday morning. He died instantly. The woman who hit him had the wonderful heart to knock on my door and tell me. I went and scooped him up and wrapped him in a towel and placed his body in a basket and left him on my front steps for an hour or so until the kids woke up.
I was so nervous. So scared. Having to deal with this all by myself. But i did.
I told the kids right away and they cried for awhile and we talked a bit about death and all those questions. I asked them what they wanted to do with him and if they wanted to see him. They were stoic and graceful and brave. We found a perfect spot at the back of the yard, under the shade of the trees and amidst the blossoming snowdrops. I dug a hole and got the boys to collect a pile of bricks while the girls transplanted some more flowers nearby.
Then i picked up Hobbes's broken body in the towel and asked them if they were sure they wanted to see him, not really sure i did, warned them that there was blood. They wanted to. I opened the towel and we all cried and pet him and gave him kisses. It wasn't frightening or scary. It was sad and beautiful and we all felt better to say goodbye.
We buried him shortly after. Piling leaves and flowers on top of him and making a circle of bricks around him. We can see him from the kitchen window. The spring sun shining on his flowers. We miss him very much.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so sorry about your cat. Sounds like you handled it just right. Sending you positive thoughts.
so sorry to hear of your loss :(
poor mister hobbes…..
Oh Jess.
I’m so sorry about the loss of that beautiful creature. All my love to you and your munchkins.
you handled that beautifully.
I am sorry. In my youth I had to deal with this so many times. It is not easy, but you seem to have made it easier for your children. Rest in Peace little Hobbes.
Oh, how heartbreaking! Glad you were able to celebrate all the joy he’d brought y’all.
Oh I’m so so sorry.
It’s already been said, but I am so sorry about Hobbes.
Now your children will know how to handle the next death they encounter. You get the Good Mommy award.
I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. You handled the situation so well for the kids. They were able to feel and deal with the loss together.
You could not have handled that situation with more grace or more beauty. What lucky, lucky kids you have, to have a mommy who dares to show them that there is strange beauty in sadness and loss too?it’s called love, and coming together.
You’re one strong and brave and beautiful mama.
So sorry for your kitty. I have lost two of mine to illness in less than two weeks, so I know how you feel. Stay strong
My heart goes out to you on your loss of Hobbes. He looked like a beautiful kitty. Your kids are blessed to have such a wonderfully perceptive, open and loving mother.
Blessings and peace to you and yours.
M
What a wonderfully gentle way to introduce your children to that kind of loss. They’re lucky to have you.
Thanks (as always) for your honest and real posts.
Jess, I am so sorry. It sounds like it was a beautiful burial though…you handled things so well.
Aww, poor little Hobbes. Sorry to hear that.
oh lady, i’m so so sorry. tearing up more than a little here. peace to you and the kidlets.
I’m usually not much of a commenter, but now that you’ve got me crying, I suppose it’s time.
I’ve lost a few kitties myself, and it’s a hard thing. The way you helped your kids deal with it will always be remembered by them.
Situations like these are usually difficult to handle with very young children. I think you are a wonderful mother, you handled it very well. Great blog!