Help Us Plant Trees in Memory of Kami, the Forest Spirit

Meeting Kami

Six months ago, we lost our beloved cat, Kami. She was more than our pet—she was our baby. A truly special one. She was my first cat ever. I'd been obsessed with the Maine Coon breed for over a decade before I finally got her. I remember the day I met her; I was told :

"Vous avez bien choisi votre chaton, elle est sans malice."

"You chose your kitten well, she is without mischief."

Looking back, her personality proved those words right. A true gentle giant. And you should have seen how she carried herself, with quiet grace and elegance. She chose who was worthy of petting her and when. It was funny how she would sometimes dodge people's hands as if to say, "No petting, just look".

The Forest Spirit

Years ago, a friend nicknamed her “L’esprit de la forêt”—The Forest Spirit—a fitting tribute to her majestic presence. Over time, we began joking that Kami was everything: a benevolent forest spirit, a whimsical godly figure, and a symbol of all human virtue. In a way, we had elevated her beyond the ordinary—we had given her spiritual grandeur. In reality, this started with her name. In Japanese, "Kami" (神) signifies many things—"that which is above myself", "an altar to the forces of nature", and even "god". Her new nickname only reinforced the symbolic meaning of her presence in our lives, adding weight to her mystical aura—one with a massive area of effect, both strong and undeniably fluffy.

Kami's Aura from above

To us, her year-round fur shedding was her way of granting good fortune, protection, and positivity. To this day, we still find her hairs on random items—a lingering presence. Yet, we wanted her legacy to be more than traces of fur throughout our home. After her passing, we honored her memory by turning loss into commitment. We vowed to become better and embrace lifelong learning. One of us completed a first aid class, while the other finally returned to kickboxing after years of putting it off. Inspired by Kami, we pushed ourselves, carrying her spirit into our actions. Her legacy is not just something we remember—it’s something we live. Next on our list: Japanese lessons. One more language to expand our perspective on the world and preserving our bond with Kami. It feels fitting, almost as if our Kami was part of Japan's rich folklore and traditions.

A Legacy of Growth and Nature

We are grateful for the love we shared with her—a bond that continues to inspire us.

For my birthday and forever, there's only one thing I truly wish: Let Kami's legacy echo beyond our home. Pause for a moment, and ask yourself:

What can I do today to grow or improve my life?

By helping yourself you help make the world better. Start now. Your future self will thank you.

Or, if you can share a bit of your life energy, consider donating. We are raising funds for Tree Canada, an organization dedicated to planting trees and restoring forests. Trees breathe life into our world, much like Kami did for us.

Plant trees—Keep the Forest Spirit’s energy alive!