Whenever I've been asked "what animal are you most like?" I answer without hesitation.
"Cat," I instantly reply.
From always landing on their feet to their independent nature, I've been a lifelong lover of the feline companion.
I adopted my first cat from the Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City, Michigan when I was just seven years old. I named her “Kattie” (the double “T’s” were very important to me), and my mom and I brought her home full of excitement and expectation.
What I didn’t understand then was why Kattie didn’t instantly fall in love with me. At seven, patience and personal space aren’t exactly second nature. All I knew was that I had a new best friend, and I couldn’t wait for the life we were going to share.
Through the years, I've had a number of cats come and go- each showing me a new piece of myself and the world around me. Some may think of a cat as a pet- I view them as wise, gentle guides.
Cats have been a mirror for my own growth. They’ve shown me when to slow down, when to rest, when to care for myself, and when to let go. Cats don’t rush healing. They simply are.
Cats wake up each day with a zest for life and an excitement for the world- qualities I've adapted into my own life, even when I'm not sure how everything will end up.
Cats teach us to trust. They show us unconditional love and how to care for something other than yourself. Even at some of my lowest points, Kiko and Ollie helped me maintain my strength, resilience, and drive to keep going.
On the days I didn't want to get up, those kitties relied on me- and in turn, helped me take better care of myself.
As I created during quarantine, it was a celebration of my own resilience- my ability to make the decision to face my past, turn over a new leaf, and stay positive throughout a global pandemic. It was about taking control of the things I could change, and letting go of everything I could not. It was making small steps to create a better world around me- even if those steps were small.
Resilience is celebrating all the parts of your story- the darkness and the light, the joy and the pain. It's about embracing all the pieces within yourself.
Resilience isn’t just strength. It’s acceptance.
Even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer. You just don’t always know where you’ll find it.
Seen in: Kate Blanket / Ariel Pillow
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