Maggie Lou's Musings, Lessons, and Blessings

His mother, stray and pregnant, appeared in the neighbor’s yard one day. Such an occurrence was not unusual. These neighbors had a clowder* of cats of their own, both inside and outside of the house. They kept food accessible to any stray cats, possums, or other creatures who were brave enough to venture to their side porch. Eventually mama cat gave birth to her litter. As much as the neighbors loved animals, they knew they could not keep this new family. When the kittens were weaned, the neighbors sought fur-ever homes for them. Most of the kittens were friendly and playful. They and their mama were quickly adopted by various families. All the kittens went to new homes except Hal. Hal really wasn’t unfriendly; he was shy. He had trust issues. He became the neighbor’s new cat.

Unfortunately, peace did not reign at the neighbor’s house. Eventually, the wife moved out. Whether it was the turmoil in the home, an allergic react to some cleaning product, or a congenital condition, Hal started pulling his hair out in big enough clumps for his owners to know he wasn’t merely shedding. The husband thought Hal’s behavior might have something to do with the house’s hardwood floors. The wife’s new apartment had concrete floors, She was not supposed to have animals at her new residence, but after a few months was able to arrange to keep two cats in her apartment—Hal was one of them. Hal’s condition did improve.

Sadly, after years of heavy smoking, the wife developed lung cancer a year or so after Hal moved in. Within a few weeks, she died. Hal went back to the neighbor’s house. Soon Hal was pulling out hair again. The neighbor knew Debbie’s house had a concrete foundation, covered by carpet and vinyl, instead of hardwood floors. The neighbor asked if she would take Hal, if and when the neighbor could catch him. A few days later, Hal moved in. For the first month or more, Debbie only saw Hal as a white streak that moved from hiding place to hiding place. Sometime during the day or night, Hal ate the food and water that she left for him.

Debbie’s nephew was staying with her while attending a nearby college. She saw little more of her nephew than she saw of Hal. Perhaps that is why the nephew was able to make friends with Hal. Eventually Hal stayed in the nephew’s room. Debbie often saw Hal on her nephew’s lap or curled up on the back of his chair.

When Debbie’s nephew moved back home, Hal took over the room. Hal was happy to sit looking out the window or to curl up on the bed, or to find another place in the room to sleep. Debbie would feed him and clean his litter box. Hal allowed Debbie to pet him and even hold him. But Hal did not want to leave his room and he did not want any of Debbie’s other animals to come into his room.

Hal enjoyed his private accommodations for several years—not days or months, but years. Then, one day he was standing at the door when Debbie went to feed him. Then, he began to meow while waiting at the door. Debbie decided to leave the door cracked open for short periods of time. After a few days, Debbie saw Hal peek his head around the door. More time passed and Debbie saw Hal sitting in the hall, away from her and the other animals, but in the hall, not in his room. Hal began to move closer to the family, until one day, he was in the room with them. More time passed and Hal came close enough to Debbie’s chair for her to pet him. More time passed and Hal jumped on Debbie’s lap for a very brief visit. Those lap visits became longer. Now, if Debbie is home, Hal is where she is. Should Debbie shut Hal out of a room while she’s in it, Hal lies down at the door. Hal learned he has to share Debbie with the dogs and other cat, but he makes sure they know that they have to share Debbie with him, too. Hal is like a new cat. When Hal lies on Debbie’s lap sleeping or when he looks into Debbie’s eyes, there is no doubt that he is devoted to her, his world revolves around her.

I want to be like the new Hal in my relationship with God. I want to be where God is. I want to gaze lovingly into God’s face. I want to rest God’s presence but I also want to be aware of God’s presence no matter what life holds or how chaotic life becomes. I want to trust God in all circumstances. I want to be unconditionally devoted to God. I have made progress, not as much progress as Hal has made, but I have made and am making progress. Thank you, God, for Hal; thank you, Debbie, for introducing me to Hal;  and thank you, Hal, for teaching me by just being you.

* Clowder: the term for a group of three or more domestic cats