Having spent yesterday on the water, seeing all kinds of animals and communing with nature, I thought this was the perfect time to write about cats. If you’re confused, bear with me…this will all come together. I promise.
Here is where you get to see exactly how weird I am. I mostly keep this part of me under wraps. Or at least I try. But honestly it is just so exhausting. And I did agree to be more open and authentic in this blog. So here I am. Flying the weirdness flag high and proud!
Napping in my chair
For more than a year my back yard has become the hang out for the neighborhood cats. I don’t have any cats myself. Not that I don’t like cats. I don’t really have any feelings about them one way or the other. But the last year I’ve had a hard enough time taking care of myself so it felt irresponsible to take on the care of another living being. Not counting my teenage son…I have to provide for him no matter what. Thankfully he doesn’t ask for much.
Peaking in the window
Back to the cats. For all of last summer I was perplexed. Why are these cats hanging out in my backyard? Granted, I do have the best climbing trees in the neighborhood. Because I grew up surrounded by trees and I love them, I’m one of the few residents who didn’t cut them down. But it’s not just the trees they like. Mostly they’re hanging out on the deck or the front porch catching a nap in the sun. They could do that anywhere.
I should also mention I am not feeding them. That’s not why they come around. And before you decide
Relaxing on our old trampoline (aka very big kitty bed)
I’m a terrible person for not feeding these poor cats, let me assure you they all look pretty well taken care of. They belong to someone. They have homes. Yet they seem to like it here. Two, three, four…up to six at a time. They’re like teenagers who somehow decided this is the cool house. So they hang out, play, sleep. They’re very similar to teenagers actually. Except they’re not eating my food.
I do believe everything is connected and that there’s always a reason for what happens in our lives. So I started looking up the meaning of cats. There are quite a few, but this one really struck me from http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/cat.htm.
Mystery, Magic and Independence
A cat totem encourages agility in both body and mind.
You will be challenged with new ideas and places.
The cat gives you clearer perception.
This spirit helper is resourceful, strong and fearless.
It will give you courage and confidence.
Examine the colors, character and behaviors of your Cat.
Everything about it will reflect in your own life.
When a Cat becomes predominant in your life,
magic and mystery come alive.
I have to admit, this last year has been pretty magical. Even if I didn’t see it as magic at the time. And I have definitely been challenged with new ideas.
Last fall I was telling my friend Shari about this crazy cat phenomenon and she said, “Have you ever asked the cats why they’re there?” And I realized I hadn’t. I mean, it really hadn’t occurred to me. They’re cats. But when she said that I was curious. So I came home. And asked them. Why not? And I swear one of them looked me right in the eyes and said, “So you’ll know you’re not alone.” I don’t mean out loud. Cats can’t talk. Not in real life anyway. Not in words we understand. It was more of a message I got in my mind, or my heart. Animals do have something to teach us and they come into our life for a reason. We just need ask and then pay attention to their messages.
That was the last time I questioned their presence. I know you don’t believe it. I don’t expect you to. But that’s the way it happened. You may find it weird I get messages from cats. Maybe what’s weird is you don’t.
The cat who ‘spoke’ to me
On Becoming Me 