About 5 years ago I was going through some very rough times; my 16 year marriage was ending, my eldest daughter was heading off to college, the big 4-0 was right around the corner..my life was in turmoil and I didn't know what my future held. The picket fence was falling down all around me, I was totally overwhelmed. So, when the kids went off to school each morning I would crawl back into bed and take comfort in the darkness. I'd lie there, alternating between sleeping and crying, for hours. Friends would call and invite me to lunch, I'd beg off. All I wanted to do was lie there in the cool white sheets and escape. I felt completely alone, shut everyone out..well, almost everyone. There were two souls who would not be ignored, refused to abandon me no matter how much I wanted that solitude. These two black four-footed friends climbed into bed with me every morning and stayed there. They cuddled and purred, watched over me and kept me company during some of the darkest moments of my life. I am eternally grateful to those little angels for the part they had in saving me, for cheering me up when everything seemed hopeless, for bringing the pieces of ribbon and little mouse toys into bed, making me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry.
Of course, you know that I got through that terrible time, and am a stronger, wiser woman as a result. My life is so much better now, full of passion and love. I've never forgotten the friends who helped me through those days, though, both two-legged and four. So when Kali introduced me to this song a couple years ago, I embraced it as my very own theme song for that time of my life.
I'm not sure if there really is a cat named Virtue or if the a member of the Weakerthans had an experience such as mine, but the lyrics ring so true, I just have to share them here.
So, thank you again, Salem and Jezebel..thank you for believing that I was strong, and for being there with me until I figured it out myself.
