Twizzle Hawkinson

It is often said that "Big things come in small packages." Being short myself, I am quite familiar with the saying. However, in the past two years I have uncovered a new meaning of this famous quote. In a tiny, fuzzy energetic ball of orange and white fur I have found more love than in any other companion.

I remember the day quite clearly that my cat, Silver Bullet, passed away. After being gone on a vacation for three days while leaving my silver angel at home, we came back to discover her missing. Thinking nothing of it, I went to bed. The next morning, my heartbroken brothers and I found pieces of my friend in the field behind our house, torn apart by the savage, unforgiving teeth of the coyotes. Being only one year old, none of us had expected it. I remember that echoing pain inside of me throughout the day building like a volcano. In my despair, I had wrecked countless things and shed tears,a teenage girl watching a soap opera.

I hated everything, and saw my cat everywhere. I missed her dearly and began having nightmares. Once the pain began to subside, about a month later, I walked into a pet store. In the hopes I could pet a kitty, since my mom had previously warned me there would be no pet buying. When I walked into the tiny cat-caged area though, and heard a tiny cough, I knew that this silky girl would be coming home with us. Sure enough, an hour later, I was introducing the rest of my family to the Ms. Twizzle Hawkinson, my new best friend.

My want for Silver decreased rapidly as my heart filled with the entertaining kitty we now own. Throughout these past two years, every little act of kindness she has shown me have been more and more human-like. Whether instincts, or true miracle coincidence, Twizzle, my cat,has always snuggled on my lap, absorbing my tears and my every need. She is a hero in everything she does, whether it be attacking my arm gently in a time of humor-neediancy or curling up into a tiny package on my face as I sleep, choking for air.

It may not be your average "hero" but I know Twizzle was sent to me after the death of Silver, to refill my love for the earth and see the beauty in everyone. She hasn't replaced Silver, she has shown me that life is full of obstacles, but they can become much smaller. As long as someone loves you. That's why Twizzle is definitely a hero in my heart, forever.