Several nights ago, Reggie didn't come home. He, most likely, decided that it was his night to cat about town and take advantage of the almost half moon. But those with whom he lived were worried. He didn't call, he didn't text, he just showed up two nights later, when he felt like it, when he was hungry.

There must have been something that kept him distracted, that kept him away from what he needed to be doing, kept him away from fulfilling his obligations. He wasn't normally like this, he usually checked in and followed through. Here's the thing, Reg is a cat. Yep, he's a cat. He missed his nightly meal, twice. And he missed the fact that others might be concerned about him, that there might be worry involved, that he might be missed. And do you know what? He didn't even care. Because cats don't.

Why is that? I guess because they don't need to, they don't need anyone really and they don't really think about who needs them. What would it be like to be so independent? To be at a point in your life when what others bring to your life would be considered insignificant, less than? I can't be like that, remove myself from those that need me. Whether they are friends, whether they are family.

We all come to a place in our lives when we realize that what we feel, what we share is enough. And actually, it is what is necessary, it is what we need as humans. Work is fulfilling, it brings what we believe to be self-worth. It builds our "character" and knowledge base as well as help define who were are and/or what we will become. I did not say that it is who we are, just that it is part of who are.

And that isn't a bad thing. It is part of a really good thing. When we contribute beyond ourselves, when we see beyond the small picture that encapsulates our lives, then we are able to give back and see our place, where we belong. Babies are born, grandparents leave, and cats come back. It is the nature of life.

by rayannethorn


Welcome to the world, Sophie Long!