She was only here with us for about two-and-a half weeks. Surviving despite all the odds against it-feline distemper caught in utero. There were three in the litter, now there is one. She was special, Tilt was a CH kitten with a big heart, she would be walking across the floor, suddenly fall to her left side. She would lay there as if puzzled as to why her world suddenly went sideways, then she would get up, shake herself off and go off on her next adventure.

In the litter pan it became both painful and comical to watch her as she tried to keep her balance. She would cross one back paw, then lift the other one cautiously up off the litter and fall over.

Once she figured out that it was vital that she keep both her rear legs on the floor, she would circle slowly while the stool came out- causing her to get quite messy. She would need a butt bath after every bathroom break.

The light went on one morning and she learned that if she balanced her rear legs against the lip of the pan, then the floor needed a bath not her.

As it always seems, the special ones are taken early. She was insatiable in her quest for my love and attention. Circling my head over and over, crawling underneath my neck and chin, racing around my chest if I even dared to stop petting her. There were times when I just wanted to put her on the floor and tell her to please stop. But I never did.

In retrospect, she must have somehow known her time was limited here on earth and she swallowed every moment of bonding she could get. There never seemed to be enough for her. Not enough of me, of Mike or of life.

One night coming home late from work, I popped off my Victoria’s Secret bra and threw it on the bed. Exhausted, I fell into my pillow only to wake in the morning to see that Tilt had found her perfect kitty bed.

After that day, she would wait for me to come home and slip off the bra, then quickly grab the strap, dragging the bra under the bed where she would sleep the night away. Hubby said it made perfect sense to him. Afterall, her name was after all Tilt-take away the ” L” in her name and she was right at home!

Her brother Franklin died two days ago- the symptoms came on quickly without warning. Before I knew it the leukemia had taken over his body. Tilt died this afternoon in my arms at the vets. She is buried in the garden next to her brother. It seems the only thing our garden is growing this year is tears.

Tilt I love you and now my world is out of tilt. I miss your furry presence on my chest, your comical face peeking over the bra cup, the endless chin rubs and chest laps. I will never forget you. You were the brightest light in my world, shining brighter than the candle burning in my window tonight. I know that you will never come home again, never steal my bra and drag it under the bed, but you did, Sweet Tilt, steal my heart.