16.11.09

Noll on 'Graduation'



In stages, in degrees, that which happens slowly over time often escapes us.  We do not experience the small changes, the graduation; the creeping, forward march of time until we consciously blink and see - as if for the first time - that something has changed.

Like the falling of leaves, the years of life drop off.  One day, the leaves are bright red, yellow-peach and gold.  The next, all but a few remain clinging to the tree. 
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Noll is recovering from his graduation.  The signs were there before my closed eyes. I did not notice the extra long naps, his quietness before the storm.

His medical write up says "senior blood profile."  How did my baby Noll became a senior overnight?  Did I not see the leaves falling year after year?

But there they are:  Nine years since Noll stumbled into my life.  Nine years of falling leaves.
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I pray for another nine
and then, nine more.

20 comments:

Darlene said...

Nollie a senior, just like my little Kia she too is classified as one. Said the same on her exam. Hard to believe, it seems like only yesterday they both came into our lives. But we will both have many years to come with them, Noll wants to live here in the country near auntie Dar!

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We are glad sweet Noll is getting better. It is hard to believe that 9 is a senior! We are purring you have many more with him!

Corrie said...

Umm, well then Keaks is ancient! He will live to 100, no doubt!
Kiss those pretty boys again for me tonight..even the chubby ginger ;)

Long live those boys!!

Quill and Greyson said...

18 years sounds like a good start.

Tuck said...

I'm glad that Noll is getting better. Nine seems young to be called a senior. I hope Noll has many more years to share with you...

Anonymous said...

If 9 is a senior our 18 year old cat must be over 100! Hope little Noll is doing better - when we don't drink Mom uses a plastic syringe to squirt water in our mouth! Mom is doing that for our 18 year old with renal failure just to make sure she gets enough. We will all get better with you Noll and we are all purring for you!

Mama Feline said...

I remember the day I realised that Storm, Prince and Odi needed senior food I was quite devastated that the time had passed so rapidly. What a lovely lovely poem. Lots of purrs to Noll from my seniors and my juniors!

The Creek Cats said...

We're praying lots and lots of years left for Noll!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are also nine, but mum just can't think of us as seniors. She had two sisters who lived to 23 and 24. We are glad Noll is getting better.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Glad to hear Noll is getting betters. Keep up the good work, Noll!

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

As we are both seniors, (12 and 9) we can relate to Noll, and are happy that he's getting better. We will be purraying for him. We hope he will be around for many, many, many years to come......and we plan to be also. :)))

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The Crew said...

Hmmm, yes...the years do go by. I can hardly believe I'm 12 1/2 now. Wasn't I just a kitten yesterday?

George

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

I am glad Noll is doing better. My Momma worries about me -- this year on my purrday in July I turned 10 and she can see how I have slowed down and it worries her...but Noll like your Momma mine says the same thing...10 more and then another and then another....

purrs
Abby

Astrid said...

OMG!!! Noll dear!!! I feel so guilty for not reading your blog on the last few days:(

Thank God he's getting better.

I'm gonna start a thread on Pet Talk (catoftheday.com); you see, when one of our babies is not feeling well we all at PT pray and send good thoughts for her/him.

Noll, honey: Your own loves you and needs you to brighten her days; and all of us (your fans) need to know you're doing fine to feel 100% fine too.. Get better soon!!
Kisses and purrs from your Guatemalan fans Sophie and her servant Astrid:)

Amy & the house of cats said...

Noll we are so glad to read you are recovering from your graduation - welcome to seniorhood. We have 2 seniors at home and it is hard to believe - even though one has been for quite a long time. 9 just sounds too young to be a senior, when I have known cats to live 20 years or more (although, as I sadly learned recently, that is not always the case). We are all very glad that you are doing ok - but we are sending out lots of purrs for you to feel more like the kitten you were then the older cat you are becoming, and for a lot more years of fun to come.

Daisy said...

Your beautifully-written post touched me. I will be 6 in February and my Mommeh is already fretting about how quickly the time passes.

Jack & Moo said...

Beawootifully stated. WE have paws crossed Noll is back to is usual self in no time at all - that one day soon you'll look at him & think "Aw! He's acting just like a kitten again!"

a-roos & woos,
jack n' tori

The Island Cats said...

9 doesn't seem like a senior...cats are living so much longer now...we hope you have many more years with Noll....

Elyse K said...

Noll, I pray for another nine years or many, many more! My cat is a senior, too (she is 12 and I surely wonder how that happened).

Good health and long life to you,
Elyse

Cat with a Garden said...

That was bitter sweet.