I’m sorry Leeny. You knew it was coming soon, but there is never enough time to say goodbye.
Run and play and the Meadow, Kit, till you see your mama again. It will be a lifetime for her, but the blink of an eye for her.
* * *
Kit opens her eyes to find she is nestled between the paws of a giant wolf. She thinks she is supposed to be very frightened, but no such emotion comes, only contentment and wonder. The wolf looks at her and smiles. “Welcome, sweet one!” Kit rises to her feet, noticing that she feels pretty good, considering how weary she had been feeling. “Is this the Rainbow Bridge? Mama told me about it, and told me to wait here and she will come for me, and we will cross the bridge together.” “Yes, pretty girl, this is the Meadow that lies just at the base of the Bridge. There are lots of animals here, some you know, others you know by way of your mom’s friends. They can’t wait to meet you!”
Kit looks around, feeling almost dizzy from the sheer beauty of the meadow. The grass at her feet is soft and the greenest, most comforting color she has ever seen. The sky is a brilliant shade of blue, with heavenly white cottonball clouds looking so fluffy she felt as though she could reach out and touch them. She and the wolf are sitting under an enormous tree. In the distance is a brook where several animals are playing, and she is amazed that although they are in the water, they are not getting wet! Off in the distance is a night scene, with brilliant stars lighting the sky. Certain animals are perched in a particular area. Noticing her gaze, the wolf says, “that is the spot where there is a view of everything.” “Everything?” “Everything. What you want to see is there. Everyone sees what they wish to see.” “Can I see mama?” Kit asks. “Of course! Most animals like to watch their humans.”
“My mama is sad,” says Kit tentatively. “I knew when I looked at her last.” “Humans are very fragile,” the wolf replied, “their hearts hold a lot of love and also much pain when they have to release some of that love.” Your mama will be alright though. She has a lot of friends who have companions of their own here. They will help her. She must adjust to a change within her heart, as you have nestled into a part of it. You may go and watch your mama whenever you’d like. Most new residents go often, to reassure their humans that they are okay and to live each day to the fullest, till you meet again.”
The wolf shifted his gaze. “It looks like there is a party in the making. Would you like to go?” “A party? That sounds like fun. What kind of a party?” “Why don’t you go check it out? It is in your honor!” “Me?” Kit slowly walks in the direction of several cats and dogs and bunnies and lots of animals she has heard of but never seen. A few cats run to her. “Hi Kit! I’m Shaddo, and this is my brother Jiggs. Our mama told us you were coming, so we’re having a party for you! You know a few cats here. There’s Tigeranne, and I think you have a brother around here too, and two kitties you knew for a short time.” Kit hugs her new friends, as an endless line of kitties gather to meet her. “Wow, all this for me?” “Of course!” replies a lovely kitty named Libby. “There are parties around here all the time. We make sure to welcome each and every new resident with their own unique party. Guess what? Today is a day the humans are learning about butterflies. We play a really fun game here. We divide into teams, and try to catch as many butterflies as we can, and when the wolf tells us to stop, we bring the butterflies to him and whoever has the most butterflies wins! Of course, the butterflies laugh at us and fly away, ready to play again. It’s so much fun!”
“I want to do that, how fun!” yells Kit. “But first…” “Yes, we know. You want to run! Everyone wants to test out their kitten-like body and race. Ready, set, go!”