16 Years of Unconditional Love

My mom and I had to put our cat Data to sleep yesterday after 16 great years. It's been a difficult weekend. My dad and I picked him up as a kitten when I was 16 years old. While we were driving home, we got stuck in traffic for an hour on the Alex Fraser bridge. I cuddled the poor, scared little kitten, and by the time we finally made it home, Data was bonded to me for life!

I held Data again yesterday as he fell asleep for the final time. Mom and I petted him and told him how much we loved him until he was gone.

There's a lot of emotion tied in with his leaving. Data was one of the last ties to my childhood. He was part of the family before my parents divorced, before I became a Christian, and the dark years of my late teens and early 20's. No matter how long I was away, Data would greet me with total adoration when I went to my Mom's place. He never forgot me, and he was as much my kitten yesterday as he was 16 years ago.

Aside from sadness, the overwheming feeling that I have is gratefulness. Data loved me unabashedly and unconditionally for 16 years. I'm incredibly blessed.

I love you Data. I look forward to seeing you again, in a place where neither of us feel pain.