I thought I was going to lose my beloved pillow partner Patches this weekend, but once again she has surprised me by resurrecting herself at pretty much the last possile moment.

Maybe it’s true that cats have nine lives.

This morning she was back on my bed, luxuriating in the enormous sheepskin “rug” (blanket) that Lisa got me for Christmas. (I use the one Helen got me when I’m in the recliner. I am rarely without a sheepskin wherever I am in this house. Helen started the ball rolling and I am forever grateful!)

For the past few days, Patches has not jumped onto the bed and has been hunkered down with her face to the wall or in blankets, barely alive.  She has to be over 17 years old now, but she hasn’t been suffering, so I hoped she would just pass away in just that way, and I expected it to happen over the weekend or in the next few days.

But this morning, she is sitting up, purring, eating well, and chatting with me, responding to my touch.  I never expected to see these things happen again. So, I’m celebrating.

And yes, it may just be one of those “lightbulb moments” (when a lightbulb gets very bright just before it goes out for good) but, if it is, I know I will always have this memory of her reaching out to me one last time to offer her companionship and love. She has been my “pillow partner” for years and being without her these past few nights has felt very lonely, but apparently she will be there tonight  — a surprise! — and so I have that to look forward to, again. I feel truly blessed.

Patches is a treasure.