7 Comments
Jun 6, 2023Liked by Holly Heyser

Great read....when my 14 year old son shot his first deer with a bow we had to track it into the night. I was literally on my hands and knees in a thick field trying to track it when I looked up with my flashlight only to be scared shitless by the face of a cat 6 inches from my face. Can you believe this feral cat followed us to the downed deer, then all the way back to my house, and stayed in my barn for 11 years?!?!? This cat named "kitty", loved the fall when we would process deer in the barn.....this article really resonates with me, thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
founding
Jun 6, 2023Liked by Holly Heyser

Oh Holly, what a beautiful piece. "Identity is not just fixed traits, but a set of interlacing, ever-evolving stories. I am the sum of all my stories, which are not just me, but also the people and animals and places that intersect with my life" -- these are words to live by.

And I'm so sorry for the loss of your uncle. Grief on grief on grief is crushing. Sending big, big hugs.

Expand full comment
Jun 7, 2023Liked by Holly Heyser

Holly, Holly, Holly! This is awesome you are watching Nature play out right before your eyes! The best part is your openness with this story making me bring it into my own life making it so easy to relate. I recently watched a documentary that you may enjoy. Stutz on Netflix. It just might be an additional support during this time. Have a great day!

Expand full comment
Jun 8, 2023Liked by Holly Heyser

There's a temptation to write something pithy and mindful.. "life is change," or somesuch... but it just comes across as banal, and you'd see right through it. Anyone would.

But I will say this. I have no problem seeing you as the crazy cat lady in the neighborhood. Nope. I believe it suits you, and every neighborhood needs one. Hell, I even had one living up the canyon in Texas... and not just cats either.

Anyway, you'll always have stories. It's your nature. And the nature of stories is to begin and to end. It's the only way to make room for new ones. I look forward to reading them (or hearing them, should the opportunity arise).

Expand full comment