Strengthening your heart with love

(Originally published 2 October 2011) 

I lost my sweet Kenny recently. He was the joy of my heart for 16 years, from the time I could hold him in one hand. I loved being a kitty mommy for the first time, and he was sweet-tempered and affectionate.

My mom passed away 6 months before Kenny came into my life, so she never knew her grandcat. I like to think of them getting to know each other as they watch over me. I only regret my mom, who lived alone, never had such a companion to share those last lonely years.

During our snuggle sessions, I would often notice that expansive feeling in my heart, and I would often thank him and thank the Goddess for the blessing of having him in my life. Had my mom likewise enjoyed daily doses of affection and joy, she could have been much happier, and may have lived longer.

I like to exercise and enjoy a pretty healthy diet. And I believe being Kenny's mommy has been good for my physical and emotional health as well. I'm not on a timeline to find a new furbaby, and I'm well aware that the right being may show up unexpectedly in my life, just as Kenny did. But while I first thought I might want to wait until after my week's vacation planned in Hawai'i next spring to start looking, I'm not sure I want to go that many months without the daily communion and cuddling the right cat can provide.

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