Pssst – Kate  .Kate, wake up!

 

Ahhhh….ahhh…ummm…gee, that was such a nice catnap, Rasky. What's up?

 

C'mon, we're going to a parade.

 

What's a 'parade', Rasc?

 

It's hard to explain, but you'll see. Help me unlatch this lock on the door. Climb on my back and push that lever up with your paws. Steady, now-push it up really hard.

 

OK, I got it. But I thought we weren't supposed to go out unless the Beans were with us?

 

We aren't, Kate, and that's a good rule, but today is Memorial Day, and it's an exception. We aren't going far, just to the end of the street. No matter what, you have to stay VERY CLOSE to me so you're safe -no wandering, OK?

 

OK. What's a 'Memorial Day', Rasky?

 

It's about remembering, Kate, and it's very special. It's one of the few holidays that we share with the Beans. You get to go see a parade with marvelous sights to help you remember.  You were too sick for the last 2, but now you'll appreciate this one even more. Follow me through the gardens and be sure you stay RIGHT behind me!

 

Wow, the Fritz's yard - I always wondered what it was like in here…

 

You are NEVER to go here alone, Kate -it's not always a safe yard like ours is. Watch your step on these boards. We're going to jump over that fence at the end there. It's high, so put some extra spring in your back legs. Here goes...

 

WHOA! You're really up HIGH, Rasky! How's the view?

 

It's a good view up here, Kate -and the coast is clear. Go ahead and jump up next to me.

 

OOO-EEE, that was FUN, Rasc! Wow, I can see all the way to the ROAD! Look at all the beans lined up. I never saw that many beans before -and balloons - and those wavy colored things….

 

Those are flags, Kate.

 

Is that where we're headed, Rasc?

 

Pretty much, Kate, but we have to keep a safe distance so I asked Henry the squirrel if we
could share his tree for today.

 

Which tree is his, Rasc?

 

See the garage at the end of this next yard, Kate? To the right is that big oak tree, and just beyond that is the smaller cherry tree…see it?

 

Yep. Is that Henry's place?

 

Yes. When we jump down from here race across the lawn, go around the garage and you'll see some bushes. Go underneath the bushes, sprint to Henry's tree, and climb up right behind me to the lowest branch. Ready? Ok, let's GO!!!

 

Nice run, Kate, we made it. So what do you think? Is that branch comfortable enough?

 

This is GREAT, Rasky, I can see EVERYTHING from here! That bunch of beans playing loud music sounds neat! And all those little beans in their uniforms and the beans on the car things…

 

They call those 'floats', Kate.

 

And they keep walking by…

 

That's called 'marching', Kate.

 

I LOVE this, Rasky!

 

I thought you would, but the real reason I brought you here is just coming up now. Look down past that next band…

 

HEY...FOUR-leggers! CATS like us, and DOGS! LOTS of them..WOW!!!

 

Who ARE they, Rasky? And what are those 2 big barkers at the very front holding onto the ends of?

 

 

 

It's called a 'banner', Kate. The words on it say "IMOM -In Memory of Magic". Magic is a special cat, a great teacher in our time and a Cat of Great Renown to all of us. Magic's Beans made a promise to help other beans stop the bad places that hurt us, and help pay the good doctors who help us for their beans, so more four-leggers could stay here on earth to finish their missions. Now some more beans have joined in and they call themselves IMOM.

 

Geez, look at all of our kind walking…oh yeah, 'marching' behind that banner. I never SAW so many of us all at once, Rasky, it's so neat! Are they part of IMOM too?

 

In a way, Kate. Those are just some of the 4-leggers IMOM has helped. There's lots more, in lots of different towns. Great, eh?

 

 

Oh, it's not gone, Kate, it's always there and always will be. It's just not always open for us to see so clearly. It opens like this just once a year as a Memorial reminder, and then again when your job down here is done. You'll see it again, I promise. 

 

I can barely purr, Rasc. I never dreamed I'd see anything that bright and beautiful, EVER!

 

It's a sight to behold, isn't it?

 

Oh yeah!!! I'm going to start all my naps remembering everything I saw today!

 

That's why we came here, Kate, so we would both be reminded of what matters, how much we have to be thankful for, and why helping others is so important. That includes beans, too. And speaking of beans, ours will be looking for us soon, so it's time to go back.

 

Follow me down the tree, kid. Dig your claws in really tight like this, and go slowly until you reach the bottom. We'll go back the way we came, through the gardens, and be home in no time.

 

Rasky?

 

Yeah, Kate?

 

Does everyone get to see the Rainbow Bridge like we did?

 

All 4-leggers do. For beans it's different-some can, some can't. I'm not really sure why.

 

I'm going to be especially nice to our Beans today.

 

They'll like that for sure, Kate. And don't forget how lucky we are to have them.

 

Gee, Rasky, thanks for the BEST day a kitten could ever have!

 

You're very welcome, Kate. I don't tell you this often enough -you really are a VERY good friend.  Well, we're home now, safe and sound.

 

The door's still un-locked, Rasc. Think the beans noticed?

 

Nah. C'mon, let's go see what they're cooking today. Happy Memorial Day, Kate.

 

You too, Rasc.