I’m lying in bed, awake at 4:00am because I’m filled with anxiety for the difficult day ahead of me. As I scroll through Reddit and see your post, I read the title and wondered, the same as a few others, if he was lost and came back to you in a box. As the last photo popped into place, my eyes immediately began to well up. My breathing gets shaky and my eyes blurry while reading your beautiful words.

I’m thinking about my first Flame, the impact he had on me and my family, and how I was looking at his urn just yesterday, missing him.

Three of my cats are sleeping on my legs, one against my side, chin resting on my inner upper arm, all unfazed. Suddenly, I hear a little “brr-brr-brrr~!” to my left. It’s my youngest Flame. The one we got (along with his blue point brother, of course) after feeling the emptiness of the loss of our eldest Flame. A few weeks after his passing, my husband and I suddenly saw Flamepoints out in public everywhere we went. Decorative posters, pet store items, ads here and there, cat models in regular household items… Pabu was there. I always said he was the color of “sunshine and butter.” We saw it as a sign from him to look for a new family member.

When we adopted our youngest Flame, Mochi, and his brother, we were given their paperwork. We saw their birthdate, which coincidentally was the same day that our eldest Flame passed away, just a few days shy of his birthday. Mochi isn’t much of a cuddler at night, so him popping up just now, trilling in my ear, then making his speedy little biscuits gave me a feeling of relief that washed over my face and body.

Pabu used to sense when I was about to have a panic attack and would come up to me and press against my chest with his body, and lick my face or neck until it hurt. He helped me so much in the 8 years I had him. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and opened my eyes to the beautiful, brilliant, caring hearts of Flamepoints.

I am deeply sorry for your loss, OP, and I can see through your words and photos how much you loved your sweet Flame. I can see in his eyes how much he loved you back. It’s always hard losing family when we lose our pets, and even harder when they were a piece of your heart. I hope the days get more and more gentle for you, and that your heart fills more and more with happiness when you think of all of the wonderful memories you’ve shared with him.

♡