I saw the usual suspects lining up on hay bales last night when I did barn feedings. And out of the corner of one eye, I saw a black tail flash by outside the barn doors. But all the black tailed cats were sitting before me...my head flashed a thought..could it be? Mr. Bradshaw rushed up towards me with a somewhat chagrined expression...kind of like he knew all the fuss I was showing was especially for him but he wasn't sure why.
Oddly, he looked magnificent. Healthy, well fed, and his tail was especially fluffy, almost like he'd been to the beauty parlor.
"Where have you been????" I quizzed him over and over while I searched for any signs of wounds. Where he went, or what made him return after 2 weeks or so, I'll never know.
My step was lighter going back to the house last night. When someone dies, and you have visits with them in your dreams, it's such a gift. The dreams can be so vivid, that waking can be bitter sweet, but still those nightly visits are to be cherished. It would be nice if all those that have left could come back to me, walk up to me casually in the barn when I least expect it. But this one time someone did come back, and he was in real time. It just felt...hopeful.
