Evenings, after others go inside,
my glance quietly ascends through leaves,
through branches. The night wind sighs once more
and bends over. Far beyond my glimpse of sky
those friends now gone begin their chorus.

Every evening this happens, an arch and promise
renewed. Nobody has to notice: a breath
crosses the lawn, or outside the window
a spirit roams, as mysterious as any wanderer
ever was. And it is only the night wind – William Stafford

I didn’t realize today was the 26th already. Writing a cheque, I looked for the date and was surprised that it was the 26th. I think of you everyday and knew that 26th was this week, just not today.

Today was a beautiful day. And such days remind me even more of you. And those evenings and nights when I’m at the computer alone and the world is asleep. You’d sleep with Shanthala for a little while. If I still wasn’t in bed after that time, you’d come down. You’d descend the stairs in the darkness. You’d come by the door to the family room and blink your eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden light as I sat at my desk. You’d meow once plaintively as if to say, “Come to bed, I’m sleepy”. If I didn’t move, you’d lick yourself, amble up to me and jump onto my lap. And there you’d stay. If I was still at the computer an hour or so later, you’d sit up and start slapping my hand, demanding that we call it a night. Eventually, you’d jump onto the keyboard. Then, I had to shutdown the computer and take you to bed. One such night, I snapped this picture of you, just before you got onto the computer.

I still remember those nights. I still miss those nights. I’ll always miss you, sweet Kitty. Happy Ugadi to you.