Our Darling Cleo Has Left Us

I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. . . .

For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

~Wendell Berry

For those of you who read Sin Boldly (or who followed me in the Chicago Sun-Times several years back), I have some news to share that breaks my heart:

Our beloved cat, Cleo, died unexpectedly last night at home in Laguna Beach. She went quickly and peacefully. We are just gutted.

Cleo was a profoundly beautiful animal and a wonderful companion. We adopted her a week after 9/11/01. She was our grace then and for all the years that followed.

I’m having a hard time fathoming life without her. Worst of all, I am on the other side of the country for work and was not there where she passed.

Please remember my family — especially my son, Cleo’s Boy — in your prayers. Cleo slept with him way up high in his loft bed the night before she died.

My sweet girl. Beautiful Cleo. Thank you for all the love, joy and grace you showed us. I miss you already.

See you on the other side, pretty.

READ “Cleopatra’s Right Ear” (Chapter 19 from Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace) HERE