Important things...

One of the first things I face everyday is caring for my loved ones. I dont include the people I love in this, because for the most part, I dont face them first thing in the morning. Of course, if I was being completely honest, what I want to talk about isnt the FIRST thing in the morning with them since they impact me before I get up, but today we will address my first moments after rising from bed.

Life used to be pretty straightforward - I had one cat to take care of, and he brought such a force of personality into my life, that I didnt really need more. He is a "Sylvester" looking black and white cat who we think left his mother before he should have, and found his way to us via a circuitous route. His name is Marley, and is the biggest and oldest of the cats.

Six months ago we moved to Florida, and our yard was the gathering place for a number of stray cats. Luckily, there was none of the problems I would envision with strays being around, and they had the advantage of keeping the pest population under control.

Over time, two of the cats adopted us, and, to make a long story short(er) we ended up taking them in, and getting them fixed, shots and registered. Both of these cats were malnourished in food and in emotional support, and they crave both. There is an all black 2 year old named Lucky, and a mostly white, blue eyed beauty named Powder Puff since that is what her fur feels like. In retrospect, the merging of the 3 cats into our household went well, but we had some adventures along the way. But now my morning ritual with them has settled into a routine.

At first, I assumed that their actions in the morning showed that they thought I am an imbecile, but that since they needed me to provide care, they were willing to work with me. For example, it seemed pretty clear that they felt I didnt know how to find the way to the kitchen, and it was incumbent upon them to help me in this significant challange to my capabilities. When I first wake up they all merge around me, trying to ensure that I am alert enough to know they are there and to get my attention. As soon as I start to move they split up, one sticks with me and the other two move towards each of the possible exits. As I move to one of the exits, the cat nearest that one heads off to provide me with something to follow, under the apparent assumption that otherwise I might get lost. The one nearest me then makes sure they have my attention by rushing past me, tangling with my feet which may trip me but regardless makes me look right at them as they run ahead, to ensure that my small brain hasnt lost focus in what direction Im going. The third cat, who seems kind of disappointed that I didnt pick their route, moves into the vacated position of the one who was with me. We proceed in this fashion, with the cycle repeating itself at every intersection where I might have a directional choice until I finally am able to locate the kitchen so they can be fed.

This is pretty much how I have thought of their perspective of our first interaction of the morning. Recently however, Ive begun to view this a little differently, and it makes the start of the day a little more buoyant.

One day it came to me that they are behaving more like groupies around a rock star. They are excited to see me when I get up, they flock around me and try to get my attention, they all want to be part of the entourage as I move around the house, and they realize that I have the power to give them something that they really want and need. They are willing to go with me no matter what route I take, and seem to be crawling all over one another to stay with me. The stopping and waiting ahead is just so they dont lose sight of me and potentially not stay near me.And the whole time they are attentive to my every action.

Thats a much better way to think of it.