Cats and Change

11 Oct 2020, Lockdown at home, Melbourne

 Last week, my Dad found an old letter he had written to my Aunty, dated Oct ’97. He wrote of how, in response to my pestering (like the persistent widow in Luke 18…) they were resigned to getting me a cat. He then outlined the rules: ‘We shall have one if it lives outside the house. At worst downstairs but NEVER upstairs… Esther will have to make a long term commitment…. We shall have a CONTRACT!’.

Fast forward 20 years. Guess who has been looking after my cat for the last 5, as I’ve travelled the world and moved to Australia? And guess who roams the whole house at leisure? My sister went home last weekend and reported that Dad now warms up a hot water bottle to entice the cat onto the ‘correct’ side of his bed. Oh, how tables have turned!

Our family had a good laugh (I’m still laughing as I write!) - cheap and priceless lockdown entertainment. But what it highlighted was how humans can change over time - often unconsciously and often unwillingly. And sometimes its for the better (definitely better, that cat says).

I’m sure we can all think of changes in habits, mindsets or actions in ourselves over the years, whether it be standards of cleanliness, fashion (I never thought I’d wear skinny jeans – flares til Jesus returns I vowed!) or attitudes towards another person or people group. But let’s zoom in on the last few months. The major, external changes forced upon us have created some havoc - humans are creatures of habit. But what changes within yourself have surprised you? And could they be for the better? Perhaps you’ve been surprised at your ability to work/study from home, in spite of the distractions from the fridge and flatmates. Perhaps you vowed you’d never be caught dead in a mask, and now you feel naked without one. Perhaps, if you’re me, you could never imagine yourself staying home on weekends and staying sane… but far from insanity, its bred productivity and creativity (including things like this post). Write these down (or even better, blog about it...) – in two decades time you may find it amusing, if not encouraging.

I’m certainly not suggesting we wear rose-tinted glasses in a very challenging year. But noticing small, positive changes reminds us that we are an adaptable species. We can move forward, even if it’s no further than 5km. We do surprise ourselves and can have a laugh along the way.

Open your bed to your cat and your mind to change. It might just be for the better.