Ted on Grace (Reprise)

Ted the Cat, recalling little Grace

(Ted is taking a break while I’m in Italy.  After all, it’s hard turning the computer on and off when all you’ve got is paws.  But I wanted to post this one, which first appeared in June 2010.  It’s my favorite of Ted’s.)

Our eldest daughter turns 30 at the end of the month, which reminded me of Ted the Cat’s sister, Grace, who ran away on that same daughter’s 21st birthday and was never heard from again. It was my fault, since I’m the one who opened the front door and took my eyes off that sweet little rogue for just a minute. It seems that Ted’s also been marking the anniversary of her escape.

solemn little face
i’m thinking about you
little grace
and your solemn eyes
your cryptic little self
grace you crazy kid you wacky kid
my tabby sis, orange as a pumpkin
we were the litter you and i
mr big scooped up both of us at the garage
and brought us here
was it so hard on you our tidy life
our shoebox days?
five years with the bigs and
me and
off you went
you’ve been gone twice as long as you were here
my dreamer my keep-it-hid and then be gone
gracie girl
you should see what they got me for a pal
juliet’s her name but no juliet that one
she thinks toy mice are real she’s just so
plain
hiding under the bed
not like you my dreamer my
vagabond spirit my
adventurer
i looked for you on facebook
no profile no fan page
no trace of you
but i’m not surprised
it’s been my experience that
grace is hard to find