TGIF
I was talking to Liam the other day when unbeknownst to me there was a delivery person from WalMart listening in right outside my open door.
“You must really think that cat understand English”…
I don’t know if he understands English…but I know he understands.
I don’t discuss the events of the day with Liam…I simply speak to him what I want him to hear.
“You’re a very fine cat”….
“I’m so grateful for you”…
“I’m so glad you’re here”…
“My life is so much better because you’re here”…
” I thank God for you”…
I don’t speak to him occasionally…I talk to him all the time and it’s always an affirmation of his “personhood” and his place in my life.
Whether he understands the words or not, he certainly responds to the feelings behind them.
While I’m talking he does all the things cats do when they’re happy and content…he purrs and makes biscuits and flops down for brushing and petting.
Because he feels safe and affirmed he feels the freedom to speak back…and Liam will talk your ear off.
I think I understand him….most of the time.
This morning he woke me up chattering as usual and I talked back…discussing what he would have for breakfast and other important matters.
I made his breakfast and sat on the floor with him for a minute telling him what a fine feline he is.
That’s when it dawned on me that I tell Liam all the things I wish that I had heard from someone.
“I’m so grateful for you”…
“I’m so glad you’re here”…
“My life is so much better because you’re here”…
” I thank God for you”…
Because I rarely heard that sort of affirmation, I know how vital it is.
Maybe if I were given the same affirmation and security that I have given my cats, life would have been different.
Better.
Maybe.
It’s too late for me now…I’ve lived with the other things that were said so long that I can’t hear affirmation and it makes me uncomfortable.
I can’t even hear it when God says it…
It’s not too late for the people around me,though…maybe I should tell the people around me that they mean a lot to me…that I love them like I love my cat.
Maybe.
Liam says its about to rain…
Make your own application…
First!
I love this!! That’s an easy application to make. But to do? Not so much.
Thanks, CK!
As one who is insecurely attached in my relationships, including God, I sure appreciate this. I try to affirm the folks in my life as much as I can remember to. Like you, I know what an affirming word can do for my soul. Affirmation can be a life changer.
Thank you sir.
Thank you, Joel…good to see you.
Hey JoelG!
Michael…thank you for this deep and meaningful post. I wish I had heard these things more from the good people in my life. I heard some, but the shaming and judging and snide remarks from the hostiles in my life are hard to overcome. Takes a lot of encouragement from my gem of a wife to build me up.
And as you know MIchael, we have 2 dogs, and they are gems for us. They don’t have to speak (bark) a word…we can just tell by the look in their eyes or the shape of their smile, how they think of us.
And thank you Michael for who you are! You have definitely made a mark in my life!
Michael,
If the top picture is that of Liam, I do have a humerous idea for a Halloween costume for him.
Since the grey pattern is asymmetrical on his face, he can do the Phantom of the Opera mask.
Hi Dan! I concur about dogs. Dogs and cats teach us, by their example, how to be more human.