My cat Quicksilver is such an amazing teacher. Some of his lessons have been about patience, that life is precious no matter how compromised, it isn’t over until it is over and that despite wanting predictability, there is great mystery to this experience called life.
In May the veterinarian predicted he would die of cancer within a month — yet he is still alive. Two weeks ago, we called the vet to make plans to end his life for fear that he was in too much pain—he had developed a strange meow that bordered on a howl. He had virtually stopped eating for a couple of weeks and was skin and bones.
That very day he decided to start eating again. We realized that the howl was from hunger. He is now eating 3-4 hefty meals a day and we have even backed off of his pain medicine—he doesn’t seem to need it for now. And just to reassure, we tune in and assess his level of discomfort multiple times a day and respond accordingly.
Clearly he is full of cancer—his back left leg is not functional—his body will give out at some point and he will pass in the next bit of time. But he has found some new strength, will and desire to live just a little bit longer.
And for him, and us, that means more time together to share our love. It all counts. It all matters. It is all worth it and life is a mystery.
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Meanwhile, I am reading a book call “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert. She is a gifted writer who speaks in a conversational voice, humble and knowledgeable about the process of creating despite the inner voices, fear and self-limitations.
She has a wonderful TedTalk on Creativity called “Your Elusive Creative Genius”: https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius. Check it out—inspiration, new perspective and insight in 18 minutes—can’t beat it!
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