I noticed about a month ago that my cat had pretty much stopped purring. Oh, I could pet her forever, or what seemed like forever, and she would eventually do a purr that if I put my ear to her body, I could hear, ever so faintly. But as for a good roaring z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z’ing kind of purr, uh-uh.
Now, why had Zoe stopped purring, I wondered. It’s a sign of a happy cat, isn’t it? A cat who is happy and delighted will purr often…and loudly. And she often had in the past…so what was different now? Why was she not purring loudly and often as in the past?
A few days ago, my daughter had gone into my bedroom, Zoe’s bedroom, I guess I should say! That is where she always hangs out since my daughter, her husband and their two babies moved into our home. More specifically, Zoe runs under my bed for shelter when she sees my two wonderful grandchildren coming her way. It’s her sanctuary, her safe place! This day she was on top of my bed…uhhh, her bed…she allows me to “borrow” a part of it each night, with a little coaxing from my foot! This day Kerry, my daughter, was petting Zoe…and Zoe was purring up a storm! I watched secretly from outside the bedroom door. Kerry was more than petting her…she was playing with her…and Zoe was in heaven! Purrs of delight wafted in the air!
It made an impression on me. I realized the importance of play to Zoe…it obviously delighted her. And then it dawned on me how very important it is for all of us to experience delight in our lives.
It doesn’t cost a lot to experience joy. Often times, the smallest things in life give us delight…some special food, a favorite song, a movie we have enjoyed over the years. “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” (Robert Brault)
For me, one joy is watching the movie, “The Quiet Man”, starring John Wayne. It’s a movie our family watches every St. Patrick’s Day. The storyline is innocent but enjoyable, the quaint Irish sayings are a delight to the ears!! Innocence is a rare commodity in this world today!
Back to my point…it IS important for all of us to experience DELIGHT!!! It’s important to give it. It is important to receive it. Seek out those things that delight you. What is your favorite movie? favorite snack? favorite song? Also, seek out the delights of a loved one…your husband, a good friend…and shower them with those treasures…imagine what you may get in return. To quote Robert Brault once again, “To find a person who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. (Robert Brault)
I bought a “cat teaser” today…it’s actually a big fluffy feather on a stick. It is made for playing with a cat. I decided that everyone needs a little play, a little joy, including Zoe. She eyed the feather with giant black eyes of contempt…the game was on!!! She flew after that feather with the energy of a kitten! We played til she quit…finally satisfied that that fluffy feather had been taught a good lesson…only I had been taught the lesson…from Zoe!…play today while you have the chance…Savor your DELIGHT! …and then play again tomorrow…too much of life is wasted on the serious stuff!
DELIGHT!! And share it, too!
