It is hard to believe that it has been two years with the Gremlin Kittens! Two years ago, I trapped these two little kittens, along with their mom and another cat. It was Easter weekend, so I named the mom Easter and named the two kittens Lily and Cactus. The plan was to foster the kittens until they were old enough to move onto to their forever home. Well, we all know the saying about the best laid plans. And here we are, two years later and I am so happy that the plan didn’t go as I intended.
Small Kittens, Big Adjustments
Lily and Cactus have definitely given everyone a run for their money. They are typical kittens with nonstop energy and curiosity. When I brought them home, the youngest cat that we had was 4 years old and the oldest was 12 years old. Needless to say, bringing in this kitten energy was an adjustment for all. Poor Sloopy turned even grumpier. I could literally hear him saying, “Damn whipper snappers. Always running and getting into things.” Bodie was probably the most excited. He loves kittens and was one of the reasons we decided to keep the Gremlins, in hopes that he would find a new bestie to play with. But these two even proved to be more than Bodie could handle.
When you hear the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat.”, think Lily and Cactus. Mainly Cactus. Like I said, when they came into the house, our youngest cat was 4 years old. We had all settled into a nice, peacefully calm existence. And then the Gremlins arrived and peace and calm left. I swear they received triple doses of the normal kitten energy. For the longest time, I didn’t think they even knew how to walk anywhere. It was always a mad run from point A to point B. Once they were allowed access to the screen porch, they favorite past time was to run full speed from inside of the house onto the screen porch and scaling the screens all the way to the top. Then look at me with amazement and pride in their copper eyes.
Their shenanigans know no bounds. Especially Cactus. If there is something that she can get into, she is going to get into it. The closet, the fireplace, the cabinets, the drawers. You name it, she has probably gotten into it. And she holds no remorse. Cactus does not believe in that whole curiosity killed the cat thing. Curiosity is essential. You will never know what you will find if you don’t go looking for it. That is Cactus’ motto, and she lives by it. Lily is almost as curious as her sister, but does understand the word no. Actually, it is no, ma’am. As soon as she hears those words, she stops instantly and sits. It is quite endearing and almost makes me want to tell her “no, ma’am” more often just to see that precious response.
Small Kittens, Even Bigger Lessons
Because I am a firm believer in the Universe sending what you need the most at the time, I knew there was a reason for these two kittens to find their forever home with me instead of my original plan. One of the main reasons is just pure joy. One can simply not be in a bad mood, sad, depressed, angry or any other negative emotion when in the presence of kittens. Especially kittens who have such a lust for life. Particular trying and difficult days were made better within a few minutes of being with the Gremlins. Especially Lily. She is my Joybringer and boy does she excel at her job. Just looking at her and my heart literally fills with joy. She knows exactly when I need her to jump in my lap with her extra loud purring and happy drooling. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for her, and she knows it.
Cactus has not only taught me patience but her most valuable lesson for me has been to just be me unapologetically. When Cactus arrived in my life, I didn’t know just how important she was going to be to me. The first year of life with Cactus was filled with the question, “Why?”. Why are you climbing into the fireplace? Why are you opening the cabinets and the drawers? Why, why, why? This past year the why has turned into many aha moments. Cactus has a zest for life like no other. Cactus is Cactus and is so unapologetically. If you don’t like who she is or what she is doing, then you don’t have to be around her. As I have been moving along my spiritual path and all that it involves, I have been grateful for the lesson that Cactus has taught me. This is unapologetically who I am now and if you don’t like it, then you don’t have to be around me. Such a big lesson from such a small kitten.
Here’s to Many More Years and Lessons
It is crazy to think that Lily and Cactus have been with me for two years now. It all moved so quickly. One minute they were tiny kittens who fit in the palm of my hand. I blinked and they have grown into beautiful young ladies. They still have their crazy kitten energy and love of life. But I know that they will start to settle and slow down. Until then, I will cherish every kitten moment I can get, crazy shenanigans and all. For we all know that they grow so fast, and I don’t want to miss any of it. I am so grateful to have Lily and Cactus in my life and for the lessons they have taught me. I am sure they have many more in store for me as soon as I let my guard down.
“A kitten is the delight of a household. All day long a comedy is played out by an incomparable actor.” –Champfleury
Lora Lee 
