In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Happily Ever After.”

“And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there?

I am a strange sort of person.  I’m not sure when this knowledge first resonated…?  I’ve felt the odd one, even as a child.  Perhaps I’ve always known. I’ve always felt lonely.

No one’s company ever whisked this loneliness away.  Oh yes, it was dulled, while in the presence of those I love; my family, my friends, but especially my pets.

Cats seemed to do it best.  A flee-ridden kitten, a scraggly stray, wandered my way.  Her soft purrs, twitchy whiskers, and knowing eyes captivated the heart of this little girl.  We connected and it felt good.  I named her Fluffy.  I never wanted her to go away, so I put her in a box so she wouldn’t flee.

After answering my mother’s bidding I eagerly returned to the box to find it empty.  Fluffy was gone…she had escaped.   In my mind I often envision that sad little girl, standing alone, as evening fell, calling out for Fluffy.  “Fluffy…Fluffy…come her girl…  Fluffy…”  No answer…

Now, as an adult, I realize it was wrong to lock Fluffy in the box.  My intentions were kind, and I had only wanted to captivate the happiness I felt. I never wanted it to go away.  I  held too tightly and in doing so I lost it.  I never saw Fluffy again.

Fluffy was indeed a God-send.  She taught me a lesson that I would have to relearn a few more times in life.  Sherrilyn Kenyon summed up Fluffy’s lesson quite well in her novel “Unleash The Night:”  ” If you love something, set it free.  If it comes back it was, and always will be yours.  If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with.”

Paradox?  Yes, most definitely!  But the only way to keep your “Happily Ever After” is to let it go.

Epilogue: I finally found my true “Happy Ever After” when I met my love, Corinne.  I finally felt free to be me.  We connected then and are still connected 9 years later.  I feel no loneliness with her.

(Perhaps she is Fluffy reincarnated…just kidding!)