Forever in our hearts – Midnight “Middy” Johnson, our elegant shadow
My beautiful Midnight left this world last Thursday, taking a piece of my heart with her. For 16 years, this sleek black cat with golden eyes was my constant companion, my confidante, and often my alarm clock (precisely at 5:30 AM, whether I liked it or not).
I still catch myself looking for her in all her favorite spots – the sunny patch on the living room floor, the kitchen windowsill where she watched birds, and of course, on my pillow where she claimed her sleeping territory every night. The house is quieter now without her gentle purr and occasional demanding meows.
Middy came to me as a rescue when she was about a year old. She spent her first week hiding under my couch, only emerging when I was asleep. But once she decided I was trustworthy, she transformed into the most affectionate cat imaginable. She had this special way of pressing her forehead against mine when I held her – her version of a kitty kiss that always made me feel chosen and loved.
She was mischievous too. No Christmas tree ornament was safe below the three-foot mark, and she maintained a lifelong vendetta against toilet paper rolls. But even when I’d find another shredded roll, I couldn’t stay mad at those innocent golden eyes.
Midnight saw me through college graduation, three moves, heartbreaks, celebrations, and the pandemic lockdown when her company kept me sane. She was there for every tear and every laugh.
Her decline came quickly – kidney failure that progressed faster than expected. I’m grateful for the time we had to say goodbye, for the chance to spoil her with tuna and gentle brushing in her final days. The house feels emptier now, but my heart is fuller for having loved my elegant shadow for all these years.
Born: May 2009
Crossed the Rainbow Bridge: March 27, 2025