It was in the early spring when I discovered a new little litter of multi colored fur balls in my Garden Shed. Counting five of them, one jet black, one grey tiger stripped, two calico and one little guy; a pretty black and white kitten, much like a Holstein cow. Leaving them undisturbed for a few weeks, I could tell that they were in the need of some sunshine to open their little closed eyes. It was infrequent when I saw the mother cat there with them. Knowing it was past the time that their father Tom Cat would protect his kingdom, I decided to leave the door open so that the Mother Cat would move them out of the shed. When checking on them that evening, sure enough they were gone.
I didn't see anything of the little kittens for several weeks, until one day, when I noticed a little black and white flash in the bushes surrounding my yard.
I continued to work in the yard and later that afternoon, as I stood gazing across the timber behind me.............. just taking in the pretty day, contemplating my next movements, and continuing my thoughts of recent events in my life that seemed so disconnected and without purpose.....
I felt this little nudge against the back of my leg. A bit startled, I jerked my leg away and as I did so, saw this little black and white ball of fur scurry into to bushes. As the days went on, first one, then two and finally all five little kittens came from their hiding. As I spoke softly to them, I could see that they were severely malnourished and lonely........ but also very frightened.
As I continued to work, soon the little black and white kitten came closer and closer and finally close enough for me to stroke his dirty little fur coat.
He was so weak that he could barely stand as I petted his back.
It was at that moment I remembered almost three years to the day prior, when his grandfather Sammy came from out of nowhere to keep me company and give me encouragement when I most needed it.
I went to the house and retrieved some milk and a pie pan for the kittens to drink from. Although "Sweet Pea" as I called her then, quickly lapped at the milk the others stood back. I left my work and went into the house. By the next morning the milk was gone with no kittens in site. At the end of the day when I returned from work, and each day thereafter, was Sweet Pea on my doorstep waiting to say Hi Rich, how was your day, I sure missed you today. As I continued to put food out for the kittens would come to eat, and while Sweet Pea stood back and let his siblings eat. He appreciated much more the comforting strokes on his shiny fur while waiting for his turn to eat. Yes, as he grew, Sweet Pea became a he and so his name changed to Mr. Pete! I could tell that this little friend was not as healthy as his brothers and sisters as they outgrew him two to one. His head was always out of proportion to the rest of his body. He didn't know that though. He was a good looking guy!
The hey you's became Lucy, Gretchen, Myron and the little black one, Jet. (Jet is the only one still with me) They started answering to their names soon, rather than "come and get it".
As the season changed from summer to a chilly fall, Mr. Pete would come into my house for a few minutes at a time, just laying and watching me work in the kitchen. When it was time to leave, he would get up and issue a tom cat yowl. I would tease him about faking the female kitty routine to get some attention when all although he couldn't disguise his voice to let him back outside to be with his family. I think that he knew, all that he had to do was ask to stay and and he could have been accepted.
Earlier this week though, Mr. Pete was content to be inside with me, curling up beside me to watch some TV. Just looking at him, I could tell that he had some serious genetic problems and as he breathed, his little rib cage moved so erratically. Still when it was time for him to be with his family, he would make his wish known and we would go through the same routine as I let him outside for the night. I knew deeply that he must be saying his final goodbye's. When the next morning came, here was Mr. Pete sitting on my doorstep with his four brother's and sister's, waiting for their dinner.
Wednesday, I didn't see Pete all day. His siblings were listless and held back from eating. I left to go for my Wednesday night Taco at a neighboring town and returned an hour later. There was Mr. Pete, laying on my doorstep. He had died there while trying to reach me to say goodbye one more time. I buried him in my garden...............
The rest of the kitties are still a little lost without Pete, they are pretty listless. For his small stature, he was truly the leader of the family. This was because he wasn't afraid.
So many times we hold back in life by not living it to the fullest. We do not have enough trust in peers, friendships... or in things so much larger than life itself. When we give that trust, doors opened by bravery that was instilled in us by HIM appear to not even exist. Mr. Pete was that way.
I am content with the fact that he was the chosen one of that family of God's creatures to be the one with the bravery to forge a new path to my door and to my heart.
He accomplished his task in the short time he was here on earth.
1) He found a way to nourish his siblings who were starving to death.
2) He displayed to them that is was safe and Ok to trust something so massive, erratic and unpredictable as a human.
(Think of it in perspective, It would be like a human walking up to huge dinosaur, rubbing it's leg and looking up with a pretty smile to say "my brothers and sisters and myself are so hungry, can you help us?"
3) He has helped that old dinosaur examine his trust in life and in something bigger than himself to say, I am so hungry, please feed me.
He did a wonderful job in all duties assigned and now relieved of the task given to him.
Now, Dear God, let me learn from this little life's lesson, sent to blaze a path into my life and apply those same unselfish goals to the tasks you have given me in my daily routine. Help me to assume YOUR courage in my life as I apply it for the good of those who are needing to discover it for themselves.
Amen
P.S. Mr. Pete has left his mark ... his nephew "Jack". He has the same markings as Pete and the fact that only has one working eye
doesn't bother him as he doesn't know it.