Domino and Her Kittens .. Lessons Learned

Our kitten had kittens the other night.  I realize this sounds weird. I shall elaborate.

A little stray black kitten that "adopted" us back in early December, ended up pregnant, so we discovered 4 weeks ago. She was so tiny, it was hardly possible that she could be pregnant, but nature has a funny way of proving you wrong. Lo and behold, five tiny beings were added to our household 4 nights ago. We have now gone into the realm of "mommy knows best".

When Domino went into labor, she hopped onto our bed & trusted us throughout the experience. After she had rested a few hours with her newborn kittens, we moved her & her babies into another room, into the comfort of a blanket lined basket. Domino decided, much to the chagrin of my loving boyfriend, that she should move her babies under the bed. Initially we didn't realize it was her decision. As with all groups of small children, there is always the rouge wanderer, and as it was the kitten that had been attempting to go explore since birth, we thought that the kitten had wandered off under the bed. Nope! Domino felt safer with all her children hidden under that bed. I slid a blanket onto the floor under the bed yesterday & she happily moved them onto it. We baby-gated the doorway so our other animals can't get in the room, and now she comes and goes as she sees fit when her babies are sleeping. Earlier today I watched the kittens under the bed ... a small pile of little squirming beings that randomly threw tiny legs upward and mewed ... cutest, best entertainment ever!

Regardless of what we think is best for Domino's kittens, most of which stems from our narcissistic need to view and play with them, Domino knows what is best for her family. Mommies always do. We, the viewing public, may not agree with it because of our own thoughts and wants, but who are we to argue? Soon, very soon, the kittens will open their eyes, gain control of their limbs, and go off exploring throughout the house. Their mother's ideas of safety will no longer be part of the equation. Yet during the time of their tiny, blind-eyed childhood, her protection is the difference between their life and death .. so to speak.

Kittens and humans are definitely different in timelines and needs, but the basis is very similar. Children need their mommies & the love, support, & nourishment, in both philosophical and physical areas, that their mothers give them, until those same children are mature enough to leave the nest. Regardless of what anyone else thinks those kids should have or experience, their mother's love & protection is necessary for a child's success in life going forward. It may be considered far-reaching in some cases, but society should keep that fact in mind. Not everything is about what other people think should or should not be.

Thoughts for pondering.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress

Appreciation Through Experience

What we dream of, and strive for, isn't necessarily what life decides we should experience.  I have seen, and experienced, this fact more than once in my own life. Read on and I'll elaborate.

While disappointment is part of life, it doesn't mean it's easy to bear. A dear friend of mine auditioned for a role that she really wanted, but was not cast in ... it doesn't mean that she isn't brilliant, it simply means that she wasn't what the director envisioned for that particular part ... which doesn't make it any less painful for her. I have been working to obtain my CNA certification, but as the classes are conducted like the state boards (one mistake and you're out) I got kicked out of the program for a mistake. Granted, if you make a single mistake medically, it can come back quadruple-fold, and that makes logical sense for the training, but it still hurts and feels shameful regardless. It doesn't matter how much we want it, or how hard we work for whatever "it" is. Sometimes things just don't come to fruition at the exact moment we want them to happen.

Being rejected, under any circumstance, is difficult at best and debilitating at worst. Just because it's something we want, or something we work our hardest for, doesn't mean it's something we'll obtain at the exact moment we desire it to be. We may achieve whatever "it" is at a later point, but sometimes the universe has other plans for us in the immediate. I am a big believer in the adage  "everything happens for a reason". It may take some time to understand the reason, but it exists all the same. For instance, when I was younger I wanted to dance ... more than anything. The day I got a call back audition from a large theme park conglomerate was the day I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I have learned more about myself, as a parent, than I ever could have learned otherwise, and that, to this day, continues to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. When she was five I got the opportunity to become a teaching artist for a professional ballet company and be mentored by one of the most incredible people I have ever had the privilege to know. We performed together, we created curriculum together, and ultimately had the honor of touching the lives of many kids and families through the medium of dance. It was one of the most gratifying times of my life. If I had not had her, I might not have experienced that, and I would not trade it, or her, for anything in the universe. What I originally thought should happen in my life, simply came to pass in a different, more gratifying form later on. I couldn't see it at the time, but looking back, I would not change anything.

I realize I'm getting incredibly philosophical, but the point is this, even though we may not like some moments that occur in our lives at the time that they are happening, those moments and experiences are all, ultimately, part of a greater plan that we are supposed to have happen in all of our lives. From the small moments, to the large heartbreaks, we have to go through each thing to become who we are truly supposed to be, and to have real appreciation for the wins that we do experience. Agree or disagree, but I truly belive that all moments in life really do happen for a positive reason.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress

Valentine's Day Thoughts

Today is Valentine's Day. When I was a kid, I loved it for all the cards and candy I might receive in the "box" on my desk. As I got older, I would stress over whether or not I would receive a flower in class. After high school, it became a mundane holiday that annoyed me if I wasn't dating anyone, & brought me joy if I was dating someone. My mentor died on Valentine's Day in 2002, and there were a number of years that I hated the holiday for that memory. This year I realized something. ....

Much like every other holiday, those who we hold dear may or may not be our blood relatives, but they are the family of our choosing. They bring us joy and laughter, positivity & solace, every day of the year. They are the ones we should celebrate on this day of loved ones. The media sometimes leads us to believe that if you're not being spoiled with jewelry & flowers, Valentine's Day isn't complete. I disagree.

On this, the day of celebrating those we love, the ones I love the most are my children, my sweetheart, my family, & my closest friends. I love, adore, & appreciate them more than words can say every day of the year. Today just happens to be their day, no matter what their title.

Take a moment to smile at someone, give a huge hug for no reason to a friend, a kiss on the cheek to someone you adore, a moment of gratitude, whatever works for you today. You just might discover that love comes in many colors, shapes, and forms, and love might just appear back to you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress