Maneki Neko
The Maneki Neko, or lucky cat is a Japanese figurine that brings good fortune. We usually see it at the entrance of restaurants or businesses, but it means something a little different to me.
When I was 4 years old, my home was broken into. I remember coming home to an eeriness in the air. Something felt off. Doors that we never closed were shut. My dad hid me in the garage with a phone in hand while he made sure everything was okay. I was too young to tell time, but he pointed to a number on the clock and said, “If I’m not back by the time the big hand reaches the 6, press 9-1-1.” He demonstrated each number, kissed me on the forehead, and hurried out of the room. I had no idea what was going on but I stared at the big hand hoping it wouldn’t move too fast.
After what seemed like forever, my dad came back and carried me upstairs. It was odd to me because I felt like I didn’t need to be carried. I was a big girl and I didn’t want to be treated like a baby. As soon as we got upstairs, I didn’t want to be put down.
Every inch of our home was destroyed. I couldn’t see the ground. It was completely ransacked. There were clothes everywhere, furniture turned on its side, and no sign of order. Our two-story home was flipped inside out and all of its belongings were regurgitated onto the floor. I was so scared. I remember feeling like home wasn’t safe anymore. Strangers had been in our house and their filth was on all of our prized possessions. As a kid, I didn’t know what it meant to feel violated, but that’s what it was. What was once ours was now tainted.
We went into the room I shared with my grandparents and my eyes filled with tears. It was unrecognizable. I could barely see my bed that usually sits right beside my grandparents’. My favorite stuffed bunny, Mimi, was buried under my grandpa’s suitcases and documents. I begged my dad to retrieve Mimi for me and I held her close to my chest with no chance of loosening my embrace.
The rest of that night was a blur. I’m not sure if we had dinner or where we had it if we did. All I remember is we didn’t clean up the mess that night. We left everything where it was except the living room where the 6 of us slept. The eeriness troubled me while I stared up at the ceiling and the clock on the wall ticked way too loud for me to sleep. My tossing and turning signaled my insomnia so my grandma hugged me close. She told me to look over at the lucky cat. She said, “As long as it is around, there is nothing to be afraid of. It will always protect you.” Maybe it was the sound of my grandma’s reassuring voice or the warmth of her hug, but I believed her. It was exactly what I needed to ease my worries. I squeezed Mimi tight and stared at the Maneki Neko until my eyes grew too heavy to keep open.
Until this day, I still believe in its power and protection. I even got it tattooed on me so it will never leave my side. As for the burglary, I don’t think it was ever solved. The police rarely showed up when we called and when they did, not much came out of it. My family was able to continue to make our house a home and our Maneki Neko still resides in the very place it stood watch that night. Maybe it was meant to bring good fortune, but when I see it, I feel safe. It feels like home.
