Back to Blog
The tenth good thing about barney5/22/2023 ![]() ![]() As someone who has been involved with children's books for many years, I have had more than one occasion to recommend this title, but had never, until today, understood its acute sensitivity to the rituals of grieving. ![]() Little hussy - as if I didn't know it was all a ruse so she could give my hand a little nip! "Kisses, not nips!" I would intone, and she would lick my finger, as if in apology.Īnd so it is, as I sit here this evening, trying not to think about how empty the apartment seems without her, I am reminded of Judith Viorst's wonderful picture book, The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, in which a young boy struggles to cope with the loss of his beloved cat by compiling a list of "good things" about him. She had this adorable habit of coming out of her bed (or the forbidden closet) to greet me when I got home, lolling about on her back, hoping to trick me into petting her tummy. Kitty was my mother's "prayer cat," and would sit next to her every morning, purring as loudly as possible, while my mother said her daily "prayers and meditations." She was a sociable little beast (except when she wasn't) and I have fond memories of the many times she would come sit with me on the sofa, while I was curled up, reading a book. ![]() As my mother and I sat with her while the injection took effect, we found ourselves recalling all the wonderful ways she had contributed to our home and family. Show More it was still a heart-breaking decision to have her euthanized. ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |