The earth shook Tuesday and the sun burned out. All the trees fell down and the ocean dried up. The sky went black and my heart broke.
Now I enter into the official record the name of a great spirit.
Pico Barcio.
Kitty Boo Boo, Tumbleweed, Boo Boo Kitty, Shabu-Shabu, Snookums, Boo Boo Snookums, Cuddly Wuddly Boo Boo Snookums, Sneaky-Sneak, Pico Boo Boo, Stinky-Binky, Princess, Sweet Baby.
Favorite Things: Stretchy-Stretch, Sunny Spot, Poofy-Poof, Comfy-Cozy Spot, Lap Time, Bweky-Bwekfast, Munchy-Crunchies, Crunchie-Munchies, Back-and-Forth, Up the Stairs, Outside, Bewy-Wub, Foot Rub, Sleepy Sleep.
Best Friends: Audrey, Elijah, Phillip.
Remember May fourth. Pick a purple flower on May 4th and give it to a true friend. May 4th is Pico Day. The last day I got to spend with my friend.
We took a walk together in the park with Audrey. We cried together and hugged each other. We slept on the floor side-by-side with Eli.
We looked out at the bay together and wondered how it was possible to hurt this much inside.
Now there is a sadness in me, and in our home.
I get up to give you your vitamins but you're not waiting for me anymore on your little pillow. I see you in my mind's eye looking up at me, purring. I see you at the door trying to get outside. I see you curled up in a ball in the sunny spot on the couch, on the bed, on the table. I see you looking out the screen door back on Prospect Street in Indianapolis. I see you sitting in the grass back on Gunnison Street in Chicago watching the bugs whizz by. I see you purring on the rug in Marcy Village. I see you flipping in the air trying to attack my hand back in Houston. What a Globetrotter you were, Pico. You always went along with me. You were a true friend.
Thank you for accompanying me in this life and on this journey. Thank you for coming out here with Audrey and Eli and me to California. Thank you for visiting the Salt Flats with us. Thank you for walking on the beach with us in Monterey. Thank you for your gentle, loving presence every day. Thank you. I love you.
I'm sorry we didn't have more time. We were not ready to say goodbye. But I know you were in pain. I see your face in the stars looking down upon me and smiling.
You were a good kitty.
Give a hug to Dweezil. Jump up on Lillian's lap. Rub up against Bob's leg. If you have a chance, look up Rudy and Patches and Heathcliff and Olive and Nemo. Tell them we all said hi.
And remember this Pico: I will never forget you, Princess. I am thankful for your companionship, and I am devastated by this loss.
