We had intended to add this summer's stories on this blog entry. We would have spoken of Prague and Colombia, of Athens and of flights to and fro. But as life played its game on us, we allowed ourselves to be "caught up" in the runnings of returning to work, and the summer stories will have to wait. Danny (Dad's cat) had other plans for us, unfortunately.
Yesterday the world turned upside down. Dad was hit the hardest as Danny's little body finally stopped working. He had been refusing food for days, and apparently had decided that his time had come. But as with any such decision, it is perhaps harder for those around you. Dad worried, intervened, took Danny to the doctor, but finally agreed that Danny was to decide his own course in death as he had in life. Danny passed away at 23:13 on Sunday, August 17th.
After much thought, support, phone calls, thoughtful contemplation and tears over the past week the Malaysian Myers-Giraldo gang found nothing but silence this morning. We hugged and cried and found solace in the fact that Danny did not go in pain. He continues to be loved, and we are happy that, even for a short while, Irini was able to meet Danny and to share part of her summer with him.
Still vivid in our minds was the meeting of the two. Nestled in dad's bed, Danny was wakened by the low murmur of footsteps of jet-lagged relatives, as Natalia, Irini and Laurence descended onto the family bed. Years earlier Aleko and Laurence used to do this with their parents. This time it was a slightly different make up. Dad was awakened by giggles and movement on the matress, and we plopped down beside him. It was early and we had just arrived the day before. We were so looking forward to the meeting between Irini and Danny, but we were also concerned. How would they respond to each other? Would there be scratching, grabbing, pulling?
Danny saw us and got himself up from his spot. He moved over toward us slowly and with purpose, and was met with a pat or two from Natalia and Laurence. As Irini focused on him approaching, Laurence took a breath and waited to see how things transpired... Irini raised her hand as Danny's head came nearer and, as she touched the top of his head - parents on hand 'just in case' - Danny turned his head and pushed it toward her hand, allowing her to pet him. Instant success! Irini and Danny would continue to get along and be happy spending time in the same apartment.
Of course, we don't think that Irini will remember, but it was a moment held in our memory as testament to the essence of both Danny and Irini: Gentle, loving, open and trusting.
They say that love knows no boundaries. There is plenty of it to go around this family, that is certain. Danny, we will miss you.
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