It’s Good To Have Friends

good-friendOn my third hike up the hill I was breathing hard, wiping the back of my neck and wondering why I wasn’t sitting on the front step with a cup of coffee.

Then she darted out from the tall yellow wildflowers.  Startled, I said, “What are you doing here?  Are you walking the hill with me?”  She meowed and took the lead – for a bit.

She didn’t block my route, and I didn’t block hers.  When the path was wide enough, we walked side-by-side.

We I chatted and talked of the flowers and the wide river and the scent of sage in the air.  I told her it was nice to see her and that her presence made my walking more enjoyable and less of a chore.

Then she let me take the lead.  We walked over the short flowers and around the tall ones, and when we got to the top she stopped and meowed.

I told her I’d see her on the return.

She wandered off and sniffed different plants while I continued my loop back down.

On my fourth climb, I met her in the path where she meowed to say she was going in a different direction but would see me later.

I saw her laying in the shade as I made my way down.

On the fifth and sixth trips, I didn’t see her but called for her.  I assumed she was sniffing the pink and purple annuals in the neighbors’ yard, or sneaking up on an unsuspecting bird.

When I got home, she was waiting for me in the shade at the front step, and she meowed as I approached.

__________

She was good company.

Her presence cheered my mood.

She let me do my own thing, but occasionally reappeared to say hello.

It’s good to have friends.

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14 comments

  1. Pat,

    I’ve been meaning to call and say, “Meow.”

    Lots to catch up on.

  2. It is good to have friends my dear :). They come in all forms, as you already know. My cats are wise souls. Smart and cunning. Loving and comforting. They are big blessings in small packaging. There is total acceptance and never any judgement. I love them dearly.

    Good friendships are another thing I believe make up a “cherished life”. I believe our friendships allow us to be able to cope with so many of life’s hardships. I am lucky I have those in which I can share laughs with and tears with. I am also lucky to have met some amazing new friends (Jesse).

    It is good to have friends.

  3. Kira,

    I’m so thankful that we connected via Twitter.

    Can’t wait to see your site!

  4. Cats are so intuitive. They sense a gentle and good soul when they find one!

    I love the little graces in life that bring joy! Thanks for writing!

    Be well . . .

  5. Lynn,

    When I left for my walk yesterday, I was needing a bright spot. I cleared my mind and made an announcement that sounded something like this… “Please send something nice, kind, and less judgmental.”

    Our cat jumped out of the tall wildflowers and was just what I ordered.

    She rarely follows me up the hill. She came because I needed her. ;)

    Hope you are well.

  6. Thank you Jesse.

    We are taking things one day at a time–sometimes one moment at a time.

    Your blog gives me hope that better days will come and in ways they are already here.

    Take care of you!

    All the best . . .

  7. Lynn,

    So many days, one moment at a time is the best we can do.

    ;)

  8. So, we have cousins in town – staying at grandma’s house. Last night my niece, Sophie, wanted to spend the night here, with Jenny and Will.

    Whenever Sophie comes over, she spends a good portion of her visit trying to catch our cat, Nina. I’ve never met a little girl that didn’t like cats, and Sophie’s no different. Unfortunately, Nina likes to ease into relationships, so she’s a little overwhelmed by Sophie’s advances.

    The two girls were tucked in for a cozy night on the couch. All was well until Jen came in my room at 1:30 to say that Sophie was crying and wanted to see her mommy.

    I went out to the living room and found Sophie whimpering in the fetal position on her end of the couch. I sat between the two girls, stroked Sophie’s forehead a bit and asked if she’d be okay if I sat with her for awhile. Just then, Nina jumped up on my lap and placed her front paws, up to her shoulders, on Sophie’s hip. Nina purred softly, all the while looking at Soph as if to tell her, “It’s okay, I’ll stay with you. I’ll keep you company.”

    Sophie relaxed and enjoyed finally getting attention from Nina.

    I sat for a bit, and finally Soph said, “You can go back to bed, I’m fine now.”

    I kissed both girls, thanked Nina, and went back to bed.

  9. Aren’t pets the best? Always there to comfort, keep you company, wanting you to be ok and staying with you until you are. I marvel at their generosity and perception. And wonder how humans can be so insensitive at times..if only we could all be like Nina.

  10. Zaira,

    Nina has done a lot for our little family as far as getting us through all this stuff. My kids would attest to that – for sure!