Our Dining Room in Kigali, Rwanda
Hi Guys. It’s me. Alfred. KING Alfred.
Happy Fourth of July!
Independence is great. I am lucky to be an American. I got my American citizenship in June 2010 when I came back with Moms from Rwanda.
But, as far as independence goes. All I know about independence I learned from my Moms.
After Moms got me from a home in Kigali in October 2009 and I got used to living with her in her big house, I enjoyed myself. Moms had two
Peace Corps volunteer friends living with her from time to time. One volunteer – Aunty Rae – really bonded with me. Aunty Rae wasn’t used to cats, but she thought I was the best thing since sliced bread.
Moms is an independent woman. She travels a lot, and not everyone can keep up with her. Not even me. Her cat son: Alfred. KING Alfred.
So, a month after I arrived, Moms planned to go back to the US for Thanksgiving. I was barely used to everything. When the day came for Moms’ trip, I was nervous. She was getting ready to go to work in the morning when I cleverly noticed that she had dropped one of her medicine pills on the floor.
Lucky me. I saw that white pill and just couldn’t resist. I got my cat tongue on it, and gulped it down. The only problem was once I got it down, I realized that I had done a very bad thing.
Bad things started happening to me. Like a bad trip. I felt like my insides where being torn out. I SCREAMED and HISSED. I went mad. I ran from the bathroom where I watching Moms get ready.
“Alfred! Alfred! What happened! Are you sick?! Do you have rabies! I knew I should have gotten your shots right away!” Moms was alarmed. But, I was no where to be found. I was hidden in the guest bedroom.
“Alfred… Alfred… Come here, Alfred,” Moms said gently, trying to coax me out of hiding. “What happened to you…? What’s wrong…? I have to go to work now. I don’t know what to do. Let me call your Aunty Rae to see if she can come look after you.” I hissed at Moms. I didn’t want anyone close to me. Then, BAM… POW… I had massive diarrhea. And my insides had shut down.
“Rae, Rae!! Can you come by. I have to go to work. Alfred is sick. I think he ate my medicine. But, he’s hiding underneath the bed. And today I leave for the States. I don’t know what to do…” Moms sobbed, very, very worried.
“Don’t worry, Dee. I’ll come by after work around 3 pm, and I’ll stay with the King. I’ll take care of K.A.” K.A. is one of my many nicknames
So, there I was. Paralyzed with illness and fear. Less than 1 month after arriving in my new home. And, my independent Moms left me. Moms called the vet to come see me. He was a nasty man. Luckily Aunty Rae didn’t let him inject me with a whole bunch of useless shots. The first one almost killed me, and Aunty Rae knew it. Moms called me from the airport before her flight left. But, I was out of it. Aunty Rae had to talk for me.
Aunty Rae was great. She stayed by me 24/7 for one whole week while Moms was in the States. Any time my Aunty tried to leave I would whimper. I couldn’t stand to be alone. For the first 2 days, I could move or open my eyes. On the thrid day, I opened my eyes and started moving about a little.
Unbelievable. First, I was stolen from my cat mom by Moms. Then my new Moms took off after I had been with her for only 1 month and I was sick. I had major separation anxeity. I was – and still am – an emotionally dependent cat. I wasn’t independent like my Moms.
But, I know with strength and courage I’ll become just as independent like my Moms.
What about you, guys?? What does independence mean to you? When did you first learn what it meant? Any plans for the 4th?
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