Yep, I was one of those.
I took a skeptical (all too logical) look at things and that would include my thoughts about resurrection. Don't blame me where the Lord has touched me, please? Because about 20 years ago I was also touched by a friend... This one was feline and she was rescued under my house by my young sons (who are now grown and in families of their own). This one was my "Goosey" whose name was "Mewliette" and her brother was named "Romeow". Both of their names were later changed, she to "Goose" and her brother to "Maverick". Yes, of the Top-Gun fame.
So little Mewliette (before she grew and her name was changed) used to find a special spot for her to sleep. It was a warm spot. In my bed. On my forehead. Every night. How I loved that cat. And as she grew I noticed so many remarkable things. I used to be a "dog" guy and had very little use for cats. So part of me influenced her. Yes, she would come whenever I called. Yes, she trained me to use her "kitty come" voice and yes she had many litters of kittens that were so cute they never took more than an hour to give away to loving homes who saw them and my small boys and their box with the sign, "Free Kittens". My Goosey. Yes, part of her name came from her prolific reproductive capacity and no, not a single regret.
Before she was a year old though I do remember driving to work and hearing an awful sound coming from my transmission or my rear axle. It was strange because when I slowed down it would go away, and as I sped up, it would get louder and more shrill. I knew it wasn't the transmission because it was silent as I slowed for stop signs. There as a spare-tire mounted underneath my car, under the trunk located outside and attached to the frame. My Mewliette had somehow gotten herself up there and was signaling her distress. Needless to say, her ride home (warmly wrapped around my neck and atop my shoulders) was more pleasant for her than the ride out. She never "hitched a ride" with me again.
Once a neighbor lady came over and told me about how she got such a big kick out of my tiny full grown cat. She would stand across the street in the driveway and watch as "momma Goosey" would take some of her dry food in her mouth and put it over by the bushes that lined our driveway. Goose would then wait and watch as the baby squirrels in our yard would come down and help themselves to the meal. Goose was not setting a trap; she was feeding the babies. My neighbor was smiling with a certain warmth as she told me about her "antics" and I could tell that my little kitten had again made a friend for life.
Now, today my new heart considers what tim-from-pa (and others!) say and I also cry when I read of the loss of your friend. My prayer is joined to yours and to his when I ask the Lord to save the tear that has fallen and I do look forward to that day when every tear shall be wiped away personally by his sweet hand. I am touched by your tale as I remember mine, touched by others who sometimes appear so rough and tough but who stop by and speak with tender kindness and touched by the Lord who is here with us today, as our Comforter in all things.
Shhhh... yes, enough from me and the Goose for a moment, a "sparrow" who loves a squirrel feeding lady and friend and the joining together that this may bring,
~me
Here she is. Sleeping next to me on my desk near where I type. It is one of my favorite pictures of the little Russian Blue during our time together. She used to love to "help me type" as my fingers clicked along the keys. I can still remember her clawing up my leg as a kitten to get to her favorite "he's awake spot," my lap. She helped 'rescue' me, you see?
