Thank you all. It really does help (as much as it can) to know I'm not alone in this. My husband and I had a bunch of friends over for a party tonight we had planned for weeks. After we buried kitty this morning, we both just really wanted to call everyone and cancel or ask someone else in the area to host, but since some of the guests were coming from out of state, we decided to go ahead with it.
Even though most of the guests weren't cat owners, they sympathized and listened patiently, laughing in all the right places, as we regaled them with tales of kitty's grand adventures. Only one guest (well-known for his poor social skills and tactless comments) was clueless, asking if we were going to get a new cat. I cut him some slack, but the rest of the group didn't. The most "macho" guy (the least guy I would expect) gave him "what for" telling him how stupid it was to ask someone that on the day the cat died - comparing it to asking parents the same question about a child's death (the thing is, I wouldn't be surprised if this guy would ask that question of parents of a child - his social skills are really that bad. I would bet he meets the criteria for Asberger's syndrome - a mild autism - where he just doesn't "get" people, and has nearly no empathy).
In a lot of ways it was like my grandmother's funeral. Telling the tales of kitty's grand, short life; I laughed until I cried, and cried until I laughed. It felt wonderful and horrible at the same time. I don't think I could feel more exhausted, even muscle sore, if I had run a marathon today (ok, walked a marathon, as it'll be a long time, and a lot of pounds, before I can run anywhere).
Neither hubby or I have slept much in the last three days, and I had to "bow out" of the party at around 7pm, and just went to bed. I really just fell into a dreamless coma and, five hours later, just got up. The guests, have all gone home, and I'll probably be back to bed in about a half hour.
This definitely has been one of the longest days in my life.
|
((hugs))
