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It was December 1990, and I was working as a lifeguard while attendingcollege.
On one evening shift I was pulling starting blocks out of the pool deck and one of the blocks was stuck. So I pulled hard -- too hard.
CRACK! It was my back.
I called my mother who picked me up and took me to the emergency room where the doctor told us I had REALLY messed up my back. I would be confined to full bed rest for at least three weeks. I called my best
friend, Erin, to tell her I'd be home in a couple of days.
I knew when I got home that my cat, Asterix, would give me extra big cuddles while comforting me. When I finally arrived, my mother tucked me in, fluffed my pillows, straightened out my quilt, and tucked a pillow
under my knees. She lined up all my painkillers and a large glass of water on my night table.
However, there was only one thing missing -- Asterix.
I figured he was just outside, doing his usual exploring. I made sure my mother kept my bedroom window open so Asterix could come in when he wanted. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. In the past, everytime Asterix heard my car, he ran to greet me, regardless of where he was. But this time, nothing.
I eventually drifted off into a painkiller-induced sleep. My mother left, knowing that Erin would be joining me soon and taking over the nursing duties.
When I awoke that evening, I asked Erin if she'd seen Asterix. She had continued to put food and fresh water in his bowls and since the food was always eaten, she had assumed he'd come in to eat and then gone outside
to roam. (We figured out later that Erin's cat Minou had been eating both her and Asterix's food.)
When Asterix still hadn't come home a couple days later, I knew there was something seriously wrong. He and I had a special bond that kept us close. I knew he wouldn't disappear unless something had happened to him. To make things worse, it had started to snow. A lot!
So, against doctor's orders, I got out of bed, bundled up and went out to look for him. With my injured back, I stumbled through deep, wet snow, miserable with pain and a sense of loss, shaking an ice cream pail full of
cat food, calling for my cat.
For two weeks, I slept with my bedroom window open, leaving a light on as a beacon for Asterix to find his way home. Erin went out two or three times a day looking for him, and we put up posters, placed newspaper ads
and called everyone we knew. I missed him so much and cried each night.
Christmas came and still no Asterix. I told everyone, especially God, that all I wanted for Christmas was for Asterix to come home.
It was nearly midnight on December 25th when I returned home after spending the day at my parents. I parked my car and shut off the engine. While I gathered my presents from my car, I thought I heard the clink of
Asterix's tag on his collar, but told myself that my grief was causing me to hallucinate. Nevertheless, I called out Asterix's name. Nothing.
But when I got to the door of our suite and put my key in the door, I heard him. His meow. His tag clinking on his collar. I pushed the door open and there he was -- gaunt and a bit dopey -- but it was Asterix!
He was home!
I stepped inside, closed the door, dropped my goodies, slumped down the wall and picked up my wonderful amazing cat. He pushed his face into
mine, purring, kneading my shoulders, and hugging me as I hugged him. I cried with pure happiness and said a silent prayer of thanks to God.
I was blessed to have Asterix in my life for another ten years. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge nearly two years ago, after a short battle with bone cancer. I still miss him every day and just wanted to share this story in the spirit of the holiday season and to say that God really does
hear our prayers.
Daphne van der Boom
A CHRISTMAS TAIL
A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small.
--Eva K. Logue
St. Nick doesn't get a vacation after the winter holidays. Since he is also the patron said responsible for Greece, Russia, sailors,
merchants, pawnbrokers, bakers, prisoners, children, and wolves, he's a very busy spirit year round.
