Lora Lee 
Yesterday was Mother’s Day and I was celebrated. My husband bought me a card and my Cat Lady Box came in. Yesterday, I was celebrated not as a mother of human children, but as a Cat Mom! And, although, I did not give birth to my cats, I love and care for them just as any mother does for their children. And, probably better than some mothers do for their children. As a mother of cats, I feel that us cat moms should be celebrated on this day as well.
No human children
I have never really wanted to have children. It was never a burning desire of mine to be able to carry and give birth to a human child. I cannot explain it. A lot of people don’t understand it. Why would I not want to have a child of my own? It was a question that I received a lot throughout my life, and it was never one that I could fully explain.
It’s not that I do not like children. I do. I am a teacher after all. I have 4 nieces and nephews by blood and 5 nieces and nephews by marriage. I love them all dearly. But I have to say that I love them more when they go home. Joking, maybe. Having my own children was just never something that I wanted.
Cats, however
Now, cats, however, that is a different story. I have always wanted and had cats throughout my life. And I have always thought of my cats as my children. And, once again, this is something that a lot of people don’t understand. And, once again, this is something that I cannot explain. Nor do I feel as I need to explain. I love my cats. They are a huge part of my family.
My cats are no different to me than my nieces and nephews are to my sister. I make sure that they are well cared for. I provide them with good food that is going to help nourish their bodies. I take them to the doctor for wellness checks and when they are sick. All the things that my sister does with her children. So, how are the two different? They are not. I am a cat mom.
Raising kittens
If you read my Easter Weekend Cat Family Rescue, you know that I have 2 fosters kittens. These 2 little babies are dependent upon me to provide them with everything that their mom would have. They look to me for food and playtime. I am the one they snuggle with or run to for protection when something scares them. In their eyes, I am their mom. They are my babies.
Just like a “real” mom, I will help them grow strong and healthy, well-adjusted and ready for their new life. When they are ready, they will go to their forever home. I will have done my job as their surrogate mom. It will be a sad day, but I like to think of it as akin to when parents send their children off to college.
Cat Moms Unite
So, this year, I want to wish all the Cat Moms out there a very Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you have human children or not, as a Cat Mom, you deserve to be celebrated. You deserve a day of thanks and recognition for all that you do for your 4-legged babies. And, although they may not be able to go to the store to buy you a card or flowers, their purrs and head butts are their way of saying thank you and they love you.
“I am a strong cat because a strong woman raised me. ” – Anonymous
