Cat in the Window

I’m always so glad when I open the kitchen window shutters in the morning and find our cat Bertha ready to greet me. We have three cats but Bertha is the one who senses the time is right and waits in the window ready with a cat smile. When I lay my fingers against the window she responds by rubbing the glass with her face or even a paw. When I blow her a kiss she answers with a fervent meow. She watches as I pull out a pan for cooking eggs, open the refrigerator to get milk and butter, and run water in a pot for grits. It’s as if our kitchen is her television and we’re stars on a show. Of course when she hears Dr. Graham open the back door she leaves the window pell-mell because she knows he’s going to feed the felines.
The cat in the window is one of innumerable blessings for which I’m thankful. Once I start naming them, the number grows and grows, as if my recognizing one blessing from God brings three more to my attention. It’s quite fun, aside from being uplifting, to make a thank you list. Here are a few more of my many things, people, experiences for which I’m thankful.
A single white iris blooms under a maple tree, the only one in a large bed brave enough to bloom this early.
Japanese magnolia blossoms open wider every day like pink and burgundy tulips patterned against the sky.
Cold wind in my face as I walk reminds me it is still winter in spite of what the groundhog says and in spite of blooming flowers. As I walk into the welcome warmth of the house and smell banana bread baking I’m hugged with a feeling of rightness and expectancy.
Four finches visit the bird feeder, a purple finch pair and a goldfinch pair. They seem to enjoy swinging and eating at the same time in the cleverly made feeder we bought at Mule Day about twenty years ago. Which reminds me–I’m thankful for grandson Charles Reeves who took time to come fill the feeders and do other chores while Charles is sick with flu-like symptoms.
We’re thankful for doctors. Oh my! Yes! And all the medical community. We’d rather not need them but in this broken world we absolutely do need them. We’re thankful for their compassion, expertise, and wisdom. We’re thankful for our granddaughter Amanda Evans who works for the cardiologist group we go to. Not only is she helpful checking us in efficiently but is so cheerful–makes our day!
First class mail–other than bills!–is so very welcome. A letter came yesterday from Nell Rose Ware, a dear friend in Tennessee. Her handwriting is shaky and cramped because of her arthritis but she’d gotten our Christmas card and wanted us to know, though she didn’t send cards, that she’s okay. At ninety-something she’s living with a niece and sounds happy in spite of adversity.
I’m thankful for a long distance phone call from two sisters, Jackie and Suzanne, during which we all three giggle like girls and remind each other of touching and hilarious memories.
I’m touched by communication from busy college student grandson William Jr. who took time to text and ask how we are, then followed that up with a phone call. He has no idea what a gift that was!
There! I’ve filled a page and hardly even begun. But that cat in the window? She’s found me sitting in the sun and wants to sit in my lap for a good petting. So I’ll pause on the thank you list.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
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