Every morning, like so many other people, the first thing I’ll do is get up and put on a pot of coffee. I, however, am amongst some lucky ones that has the company of a furry companion while I wait for it to brew. My little buddy is Gus, and though he is my landlord’s cat, he’s a close buddy of mine all the same. Every morning without fail, Gus meows at me until I sit in the middle of the couch, at which time he jumps up on my left side and nuzzles up to me. Then the scritches, belly rubs, and purring begin. It’s been like this every single morning for years, now, aside from a couple of times when Frank - my landlord - forgot to let Gus back inside from the patio, during which times I’ve had to go out and track my furry companion down.
This world of ours can get pretty dark, with all kinds of political turmoil and economic issues plaguing us, not to mention natural disasters, personal conflicts, trauma-inducing situations, and the like. It’s little moments like these - waking up, going upstairs, putting on that coffee, and hearing that meowing until it’s replaced by purring - that can make all the difference, that can remind you that life goes on despite all the trouble and woe. I know that there will come a day when I’ll put on that pot and I won’t hear that meow - Gus is getting up there - but until then, I’ll enjoy my time with him, and appreciate the love and warmth he gives me every day, because it certainly helps.
What little things in your life keep you going even during the darker times? Do you have any daily rituals or events that help keep you sane in all this madness?
