Nine daffodils bloomed this spring

[Thomas Liggin]

The daffodils bloomed again this year. Don't they bloom every year? Not in 2002.

Some background is in order.

Our driveway leads to our garage. Pretty clever, huh? Our house is to the right of the garage and on the opposite side of the driveway is a garden mound.

It has several perennials, daisies, day lilies, and a nice lucifer plant among them. This garden was the favorite resting spot for our younger daughter Kristie's large black and white cat, Pussoir.

Be patient, I'll get to our Boxer, Rocky, because this story is about him.

Pussoir was a truly great cat. He was unusual. He'd follow us around the yard like a puppy dog, but managed to remain aloof and independent. He would be ornery when you did something that annoyed him, but would tolerate anything when you were ministering to one of his physical needs.

He loved to lounge on that particular garden mound. In the summer the plants and the canopy of trees shaded the area, making it pleasant on the hottest days. In the winter, it was bathed in sunlight all day. He could be frequently seen basking in the sunlight, his black and white body contrasted against the rust colored oak leaves.

It was common for him to greet our arrivals home from that garden.

When Pussoir passed, we buried him in that mound with a simple chunk of white quartz to mark his grave.

In the fall of 2001 we lost Rocky to cancer. It was only fitting that he be buried next to his buddy Pussoir. We buried him on a slightly higher spot with a slightly larger chunk of white quartz to mark his grave.

Close by the graves is a small cluster of daffodils. The first year there was only one bloom. In a few years there were four, then five and six blooms.

In the spring of 2002, the daffodils pushed up through the cold New England earth, seeking the warmth of the sun. But something strange occurred. There was not a single bloom.

We couldn't understand it. Everywhere else the daffodils bloomed, but not by Rocky's grave.

In the past week, the daffodils bloomed. Nine flowers marking the resting place of our beloved Rocky who died in his ninth year.

Somehow I think it's a message for us.


Tom

[ljnash]

Thanks for the beautiful story, Tom. How wonderful for you to have such a beautiful reminder of your beloved Rocky.

Lenore

[gmacleod]

That's a lovely, heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing it.

[basak]

Lovely story Tom... I believe Rocky is watching over you and sent those flowers to you.