Joy in The Evening

A Penny Story
September 2005


Teaching is a demanding profession. Either one is exhausted mentally, physically or both by the end of the day. A moment of quiet is a precious thing. I do love teaching; these are my kids--the only human kids I'll ever have. (Now, that reminds me of another story: When he was three, my nephew was wise enough to ask me: "Aunt Bobbi Jean, do you have any people sons?" I guess he was anxious for a non-cat, not-rat cousin to play with.)

Anyway, I so look forward to coming home in the evening. No matter how many litter boxes there are to clean, how many objects on the floor to replace, how many cats to feed or catfood to make, I still crave the peace that a hug from a kitten can bring. There is no greater joy than being met at the door by that sinuous sea of intertwining spots and swirls or handling newborn kittens.

I just called, "Penny! Penny, Penny, Penny!" in my sing-song call, and here she came, bounding in ferret leaps from another room to be scooped up and loved.  Now she is off on another kitten adventure, but for that moment, my heart was elated.

Akashi has delivered another litter of gorgeous Marbleous kittens. I swear Akashi is the best mom on the planet. My heart swells as I watch her with her babies and watch her watch me with her babies as I weigh and love each one.

I am so blessed to come home to my Bengals for these moments of peace. And then Spencer gets home, too. :)

What a wonderful life!

I wish everyone as much love and joy as I have here, and we welcome our friends who are already being evacuated because of Rita into our household of furry love.