Down From the Attic: Keeper of the Flame

by Mewsette

We keep everything forever at my house. We've been collecting and keeping kitty angel ornaments and figurines since - probably before I was born, because they've always been here. We have a lot of kitty angels, and a lot of other kitty ornaments, and even a few things like shiny balls and old-timey Santas. But the Santas and balls tend to stay in the box when it's time to trim the Christmas tree. And all the kitty angels go on.

Last year, the first Christmas that my furmama wasn't with us, we had all kitty angels on our tree. There were enough to cover it, too! And it was so beautiful. My mom says we'll have some fun things on there this year, too, for me and my sisfur. But I like the kitty angels best.

Some of our angels are ceramic, some are made of cloth and lace and feathers, some of paper and paint and glue; some plump like little pillows, and some delicate and thin. My mom just always loved kitty angels, but now all the angels are in memory of our own Rainbow Angels, too.



In large kitty families, there should be one to do the remembering, to be the Keeper of the Flame. We used to believe that was my furmama, because she lived to be nearly 20. But as I approach 18, I can see that it's me. Parts of all of the loved kitties from the past, that I came from, are in me; from my grandmama and my papa, to my brofurs, to the strong spirit of my mama, they are all in me. I know the stories of all our Rainbow angels, and when I am gone, no kitty will know them. So I am the Keeper of the Flame.

This is how it was meant to be, and here is what it's like. When special times like Christmas come, your flame may burn livelier and brighter. When it's cold outside, your flame makes everything warmer. If your eyes grow dim with time, your flame lights the way. If you're not having a good day, your flame strengthens you. No gust of wind can blow it out, because the flame is stronger than any wind. It burns yellow and red, high and low, but it never goes out.

In times ahead when changes have come, when loved ones have gone away, when they are softly fluttering angel wings you feel in your heart, when they are not beside you, but are all around you in the air, coming to visit in your dreams, keeping you warm, strengthening your spirit, then you may be the Keeper of the Flame. Let it burn brightly in your eyes, feel the warmth and know the wonder. Keep it well.

Then, when it's time again for pretty angels with wings to be hung on a Christmas tree, you'll recognize and know all the kitty angels that come down from the attic.