Northport, Alabama

I wonder sometimes why I wake up. Why I crawl out of bed and try to muddle through the day. Some days hardly seem worth the effort. Other days seem like they might have been more effective if I had played a skip card.

But when I look into my kitties’ eyes, I know I’ve done a few things right. Cookie was destined for certain death in the animal shelter, so traumatized by abuse she could hardly bear for you to touch her face. And when she looks into my eyes, I know she trusts me. Loves me even.

They depend on me to keep their world together. To make their lives comfortable. To provide soft blankets and cool sleeping nooks and exciting boxes and a warm lap. They depend on me to show up, every single day, whether I feel like it or not.

And in return, they never slice me to the bone with their words, never raise their voices in anger, never promise more than they’re willing to give, never expect more than I’ve got. They don’t mind if I lay my head against theirs, rubbing my cheek against their soft fur. They’re never embarrassed by tears or anguished blatherings. They never push me away for clinging, never chide me for wanting.

I show up, and they show up. I love them, and they love me back. It’s blessedly simple. And God knows I need something in my life to be simple right now.

Music: Meant to Live by Switchfoot (lyrics)

Posted on August 7, 2007 by Carmen K. Sisson tagged Alabama, cats, Northport, personal