Gratitude for Cats...

I love all animals.  I do, but cats are at the apex of loving connection for me.  I just get them, and they, in turn, seem to get me. I love their paradox of connection and aloofness.  How independent they are, and at the very same time, so loving.  I love that it takes a cat awhile to trust you, dogs front trust for the most part, while cats you must earn their affection and trust.  And for some cats, your earning begins anew with the break of each day.

Currently, I have two purring kittens asleep on my lap.  This is a common morning occurrence, this writing, loving, purring thing that I do every day with them.  They are an integral part of my life, day and morning.

I love their dichotomous nature:  absolutely insane playing behavior, coupled with a wise countenance.  I love they seem to have embraced, honed and perfected a being at peace while a not so quiet storm rages beneath their surface.  I love how quiet they are, and their ability to wreak havoc on flowers, fairy lights, throw rugs and anything on a table or shelf.  I am not so fond of the fact they continuously chew through my laptop charging cord.  We are at $200 so far and counting.  I just replaced it two days ago and yep, you guessed it, I am back to square one.  This is not my most favorite thing about cats.

I love that every time I make a lap, I telegraph to the universe an invitation for affection and snuggles to one of my furry felines.  I love that I often get several takers.  My best record so far is 8 of them snuggling with me on the couch in the evening.  Fire raging, and motors running.

I love that cats love on their terms, you cannot make a cat love you, trust you or even like you. I love their fierce independence and their absolute commitment to being true to themselves, while also trusting that nothing they do will ever dim your love for them. They have this unique and absolute belief that the universe does in fact revolve around them. And so it does.

Cats give me permission to be still.  Something I struggle with on my own.  I do not do down well, and so it is hard for me to find a good reason to just sit still on my own...cats provide that reason.  I will not sit and read all by myself, but when I know a nice prone position on the couch will bring me several furry, purring machines, I find a willingness I didn’t previously possess.

Cats are truth and emotional honesty in a way that dogs are not.  Dogs will lead with love, and an agenda.  Cats will lead with an agenda and maybe love, if you are lucky.  I get that and appreciate the candor.  I like knowing where I stand with cats.  It isn’t like my dog, whom I also love very much, she just adores me all the time, which seems implausible because I am often an asshole.  My cats, they let me know that their love and adoration comes from their level of comfort and want, not mine.  And I absolutely appreciate and love this.

I guess I feel about cats the way Hemingway did, “One cat just leads to another...”  Which is why I am at 12 currently.  I mean I have 11, and then there is one that lives in my yard who has me.  

I love the anarchist hearts of cats and there quiet countenance about life and living.  I love the absolute reckless way they can clear a table and then look at you as if it is all your fault.  I love the paradox that is a cat and love that I get to live amongst them, every single day.

Again, still...

I am grateful for

A lovely thanksgiving

Good food and good company

Thanksgiving night with Kyle

The kids and mom’s help

Kids getting home safely

Not being in the accident on the 33 last night

Jeannette

My dad feeling better last night

Getting my new washer and dryer today

A lovely birthday week with my family

Sleeping in today

Being recommitted to meditation