4: November 2002 Archives
The line between life and death isn't always as clear as one might think -- it's as wispy as the soft breaths of air passed through two tiny lungs.
Her labored breath remained raspy and ragged. We did. all. we could. And in the end, though we made the choice to let her go, though we resolved, humbled by our inner turmoil, to help her on her way, she left on her own terms, in our arms, gently, peacefully. Loved.
She was soft as a feather -- and nearly as light as one -- with beautiful blue eyes and a wispy tail. Her tail -- it was nearly as long as she was. It was perfect. She was perfect.
We carried her home, her still, peaceful body, and buried her under a tree in the moonlight. We left her a glass of water so she will never be thirsty. We sobbed together under a tree in the moonlight. We lit a candle for her.
I held her brother Liam and told him. I apologized for not being able to do more, and he licked Nati's tears from my cheeks.
Tonight, the Leonids streak through the sky, ephemeral and fleeting as a tiny kitten's breath. They cry Nati's tears; they whisper her name.
This picture made me gag involuntarily, so I had to save it for posterity.
Given the outcome of yesterday's elections, it has become clear to me that the American democratic process is in need of some revisions. Admittedly, that will be a large and complicated job, but I have appointed myself chair and committee for rebuilding it. Yes, I am a busy girl -- thank you for asking -- but my country needs me, and I will not shirk from my duty as elector-in-chief. Thank you, thank you very much.
"But how could a busy girl like you be able to visualize an entire new democratic process?" you might ask.
The answer is simple: I'll apply another tried-and-true method of election to the popular elections around the country. Namely, I intend to extend the electoral college to select people for all offices. There will be one small change to the electoral college, which is really not worth mentioning here.*
"Do you have any qualifications?" you might ask.
Yes, yes I do. I have watched elections bungled for the last 25 years, and frankly, it's high time that I
I'm sure you understand.
Thank you, and God bless America.
*From now on, I will select all members of the electoral college.
I caught a glimpse of the transparent blue envelope before Claudia tucked it behind her back with a mischievous grin.
"You've got mail," she said teasingly, trying to hide the package from my view, but I'd seen it already, and I yelled with excitement.
It's just a disposable camera, really, and the pictures hidden within it aren't likely to be anything special at all. But the return of the camera signifies a successful conclusion to part of my experiment, and I can't wait to get the pictures developed.
