Clea

The price of love is ultimately grief. Wild and never completely tamed, Clea was a true Arabian Mau, adopted by me after a two-hour chase for an injured kitten on the Dubai university campus. She lived with me in Dubai, China, Kazakhstan, and here in the U.S. It is accurate to say Clea was “just a cat.” But accuracy and truth are different. In truth, Clea was so much more. Clea was the vessel safeguarding so many of my memories. She was the memory of my early years in Dubai, her homeland. I could look at her and recall that happy time. Her acceptance of sister Emmy reminded me of my journeying back thousands of miles and dollars to China to retrieve her little sister for her. Clea was the common talking point among myself and my dear women friends in Kazakhstan. No more. I am supposed to write “Rest in peace, Clea.” But better that she rest with the same fiery nature and tenacity that ran counter to her mere 6 pound body. Rest in your untamed spirit, Clea. You are free now. Go.