Lessons Learned from My Cat

Lessons Learned from My Cat:

Do let others help you. My cat, Josie, waits until I put her food in her bowl and then she will sit there and wait until I pick her up to put her on top of this chest where I feed her. I know she is starving from all her purring and persisting (see next point) but she still sits there and waits for help. I would not have a hernia right now if I would get more help.

Do be persistent. My cat has an amazing trick. She will sit outside on the porch and run from window to window stalking me to come out and feed her (she moves from bay window to bay window). Then, when that doesn’t work she pulls out all the stops. She will get on top of a rocker and perch there precariously meowing as loud as she can (and it is loud for me to hear her inside with 2 kids and something always running) while the rocker sways back and forth. She is literally balancing on like a ½ inch of wood that is moving. It is amazing.

Do be persistent in relationships. God is with us no matter what we do. He never stops pursuing us even when we are unloving and unkind at times. Relationships with people are so complex. Sometimes they don't speak or are unkind or uncaring because of their own issues--not yours. I recently had the opportunity to do something kind for someone that is not always so kind to me. It was difficult, but I am glad I did it b/c that is what Christ's love is like--unconditional. Josie is so persistent. No matter how many times the boys chase her with bats and shovels or how many times I tell her I don't want her in my lap today or on my shoulders--she does not give up on a relationship with us. She just keeps trying and I usually do cave in and hold her.

Do relax. I got a swing for Mother’s Day and I have really enjoyed watching her relax in it! I even put a cushion in it and SHE has ruined it …I wish I would have.

Do just learn to enjoy the boys playing and not always be entertaining them. Josie comes to the window of the playroom and watches the boys play. I have taken quite a few pics of her there enjoying them.

Do stand up for yourself without hurting anybody. When Josie has enough of the boys chasing her (and Sarah too) she will bite (with little to no pressure) and scratch if need be. She has never really hurt them, but we all need to let some folks know when we have had enough…without doing permanent damage, of course.

Lay in the Sun often—I am a big proponent of Sun Therapy—esp. in the winter! A little vitamin D goes a long way! Just be sure and wear sunscreen—you don’t want a skin cancer scare like I had!

Drink Water Any Chance You Get—Our cat is a farm cat. For a while, we tried leaving water out for her and then it was just spilled all the time…so now she is an opportunistic drinker. She gets water at the horses tub, the dog’s bucket, the creek, a puddle in the concrete, and the sand/water play table, or a the playground swings after a rain. I should drink water every chance I get too…days that I don’t stop for a drink I feel so tired and miserable and headachy.