A new love comes when least expected...

Is it surprising that older folk can fall in love?

I mean, who puts the want of cuddling only in the hands – or should I say arms – of only the young?

A couple years back, I found an additional love, again, right in my own back yard.

Working in my garden, I was slightly startled when he hesitantly strolled into view. I could tell by the look in his eyes he was not sure of himself – wondering if I would tell him to go or accept his friendly advances. With each short step, he would not take his eyes off me.

Let it be known that, along with being strong-willed, I have the quality of geniality in my personality; strangers do not cause alarm for me. Besides, it was early afternoon, and the day emitted a bright sunlight and warmth, adding to the easy atmosphere of our meeting.

He stood silent as he gazed my way, while I watched him from the corner of my eye and continued to work with my planting.

I could no longer be silent, and asked, “For what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” 

I realized he wasn’t deaf, as he responded to my voice; however he could have been a ‘mute’, as he would not reply to my question. He seemed content just to watch my activity…so much so that he stepped a bit closer, then relaxed and took a seat on the far edge of the low log-fence surrounding my pool-yard. What used to be the swimming pool, has been filled-in to become the “pool-yard”.

So, then, I thought, this is to be a beginning of a friendship without the use of much words. A little distracting, at first, but not an impossibility. Well, a little hard for me, as I’m one who really enjoys talking to people…trees, birds, my cats, etc; but I could handle this. And I also knew that just one more cat would be welcomed in my life – especially Midnight!

Author’s note: Midnight came into my life in the spring of 2001 – he was injured. I kept him separated from my other cats until I could get him to the vet the next day. Driving to the vet’s, I made up my mind to have him neutered, as I would be keeping him. He would have to stay overnight at the vets for neutering and treatment of severe sinus-cavity infection of ear-mites; he would also need blood work done. Sadly, through the blood work, it was found he had feline AIDS, so I continue to keep him separated in his own back-room home, which I added A/C and heating for him. He was originally in such bad shape that the vet had thought he would survive only one year, but with lots of loving care he has survived, and is very healthy – otherwise. We have our separate play-time in his room or the back yard, and I can leave him there to enjoy the outdoors without him straying off.

What happened to Midnight, and other cats, could have been avoided if his original owner would have had him neutered (a female is ‘spayed’)…but then, he may have never come into my life.

 I love all my pets; they have each been neutered (males) and spayed (females), and get their annual check-ups and needed shots; they each are given that all important factor of care and love.

 

You can never predict when - or where - a new love will enter your life.