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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10530-A-Prayer-for-the-Lost-and-the-Lonely.html
Spiritual: December 23, 2020 Issue [#10530]




 This week: A Prayer for the Lost and the Lonely
  Edited by: Kit Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Not everyone is home who should be. And some who need company find themselves alone.

This week's Spiritual Newsletter is about my missing cat, Benji, and all those who need our love and prayers this holiday season.

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Letter from the editor

One of my cats is missing. He’s been missing for nearly a week now. No matter how hard I try to understand why he’s gone or where he’s gone, I can’t figure it out. I wish that I could.

He and his sister were let out last Wednesday morning for a run-around, just like every morning. Normally, Benjamin would poke his head around the door every few minutes. This time he didn’t. This time he never came back.

He didn’t seem unhappy. Benji’s a very affectionate, cuddly cat and he’d been thoroughly purred. I played with him every day. He and his sister got on well together. He was never short of food and water. He was in perfect health. I do not see a reason for him to search for another home, especially not without bringing his sister along. But, I am not a cat.

It was still quiet outside that morning. Most people were asleep. All sorts of things go through your head when something like this happens. Did someone steal him? Did he get chased off by someone or something? We hadn't seen anyone or heard anything. Did he somehow get injured, or stuck? Trapped? I don’t even want to describe the scenarios that have run through my head the last seven days.

Benji mainly stayed in the garden area and the street in front of our house. This time he might have climbed onto the banking and strayed further than normal. Perhaps it’s simply the case that he does not know the way home. My husband and I have been all around the village, calling his name. There has been no response.

We’ve posted notices through each and every door in the village. My friends have posted pictures of him on community social media groups. We have offered a not-insignificant financial reward. The vet has been alerted, in case an injured cat’s brought in. It does not appear to have helped.

It’s a situation that has left me drifting far away from any and all holiday spirit, and I know that I am not the only one. On my journeys online I have found many groups, many websites filled with people who have lost their pets and are desperate for them to return home. It’s a horrible, helpless feeling. An intense sadness within.

And that makes me think of all those many people who are in a worse situation than my husband and I: I cannot imagine what it is like to have a missing child, family member, friend… I think that such a level of heartbreak would be utterly devastating.

I am fortunate in that I have my husband. I have family. I have friends. I have people to console me. Not everyone has that kind of support. There are many people out there who are all alone.

There are many people out there who are all alone, full-stop. People who may normally have family and friends to be with this time of the year, who are now deprived of company because of Covid. Or those who no longer have anyone in their lives. They will be struggling, too, this holiday season.

Normally, I would advise people to stop by family, friends or neighbours who are alone. This year, sadly, that would not be good advice. A card may offer some cheer, though. A letter. A phone call. Perhaps a video chat. Anything to let them know that they are thought of.

This Christmas, I will be saying a prayer for the lost and the lonely. I hope that you will join me. May feet and paws be placed on the path back home, and all who need it learn that they are loved.

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Ask & Answer

The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Spiritual Newsletter Team



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