A Feline Friend During Bible Study...

“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.”

- Ernest Hemingway

At the end of July, a friend delivered a precious, tiny, and adorable bundle of love for our daughter on her birthday. This sweet kitten not only moved into our home, but instantly into each of our hearts. Our two dogs adore her. It's common to see the rottweiler and kitten drinking from the dog's water bowl at the same time or to see all three laying side by side in the living room. Our tiniest and newest member, Naomi, has found a home.

Our daughter has wanted a kitten for a couple years and we have put it off but decided this summer to give in, if she dedicated some of her own money to help with the medical and nutritional costs. It was a greed. A dear family friend, one who used to read the blog daily, was a cat lover. Our last visit to her camp, Mags was sharing how much she wanted a kitten but we (the terrible parents) wouldn't allow her. I motioned to my friend to let her know Mags would be getting one for her birthday. Our friend smiled and I whispered, "We'll bring her down to meet you after she gets her."

Sadly, our friend never met Naomi. The very day Naomi joined our family, God called our friend home and gifted her with angel wings. I'll always remember the day Naomi came and how she is a reminder of our cat-loving-wonderful friend, who left this world on the same day. Miss Naomi has received much love and attention. One of my favorite times to snuggle her is when I'm reading or writing, before everyone else is awake. 

Something I didn't think of this summer when starting this quality quiet time, that Miss Naomi would get bigger than the the size of Ed's hand. As our beloved kitten grows, it's becoming challenging to have her on my lap during study, reading, or work times.

This past weekend, as I read and took some notes, Naomi joined me. She snuggled in and took a nap. As I attempted to turn my pages, make a note, and find a different verse...she woke up. Oh boy! She went from sleeping quietly on top of my notebook to chasing the top of my pen as I wrote and then nibbling on my pages.

Ed sat in his chair, laughing! Yes, laughing...Then we were both laughing. Then...Ed said, "Not so cut anymore, eh?" She is still just as cute and lovable, I just need to figure out how to balance a sleeping cat on my lap with my Bible, notebook, journal, and pen. And of course, still be able to reach for my coffee in the process. I managed alright but I'm trying to develop a better scenario for future quiet times.

Life presents us with choices. I could toss the cat to the floor and tell her "No!", but since I started this habit, that isn't the right or logical thing to do. Instead, I'm thinking of changing my comfy spot so that it allows for her to lay along the side of me while I enjoy some quiet reading, research, or work time. We'll see how it goes. One thing I do know, I enjoy her presence and comfort. While my dear friend isn't reading my blogs at 7 a.m. each morning anymore, I feel as if she is sitting next to me as I write them.

“I write so much because my cat sits on my lap. 
She purrs so I don’t want to get up.”
- Joyce Carol Oates

Does your pet have a favorite spot to nestle next to, or with you? 
Is there a favorite time of day your pet likes to seek your attention?