For over 30 years, our Cherie was a member of Mile End Mission. Sometimes as a client, often as a volunteer – but always as a friend. Cherie had a huge grin, sparkly dark eyes, and a warm hug. She made the most delicious pieroghies for us. She died of cancer on January 6. She was 56.
Cherie’s life had been unimaginably hard from her beginning and yet, she had such a loving heart. She was determined, resourceful, courageous, loving, giving, a hard worker. Even near the end of her life, managing pain meds, she cheerfully helped fill bags on food bank day. She was in drug rehab more than once, giving it every effort with enormous courage. Now and then, she disappeared, and when she returned to the Mission we’d find she’d been in jail. Did you know sometimes people get themselves jailed mid-winter so they have food and so they don’t freeze to death? I didn’t.
The day before she died, Lori, Missy, and I visited Cherie in hospital. Sitting beside her bed holding her hand, I said, “If you get to heaven before I do, will you come and get me?” (She knew I also have cancer.) Quick as a wink, she replied, “I’ll come as a stray cat.” “Like Belle,” I said. “Yes.” We both understood the meaning. Belle, our Mission cat, was a stray who lived with us for almost 18 years. Everyone belongs at the Mission. Even a little grey cat.
Mile End Mission is a place for stray cats and for stray people whose lives have been and are hard. Our members are no different from the rest of us in that regard. We’re all stray cats looking for a home, a place to belong and people to belong to and with. Some people’s stray cat-ness may be more obvious. Some are better able to hide our stray-catness. We’re all in this life together to love and be loved.
To quote Charlie Mackesy in his book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: “Sometimes I feel lost,” said the boy. “Me too,” said the mole, “but we love you and love brings you home.”
“I think everyone is just trying to get home,” said the mole. Yes.
You’re home, Cherie. Rest in peace, and I’ll be watching for you, but not quite yet.
