Vitamin Moment

The cat, a mild-mannered orange tabby,stretches luxuriantly on my queen-sized bed. She's picked the exact center, near two socks awaiting their owner. From here, she blinks, kneads one paw, and rolls over with obvious delight to expose her ample, tawny-furred belly.

Oh, Rosie.

I can't help but smile as I scoop her up, her body a friendly, limp weight in my arms, and head for the front door. Her dreamy demeanor belies an uncanny ability to locate and breach any unguarded entries to our home.

It was good while it lasted, I think as I deposit her, surprised, back outside. But I'm sure you'll be back again, soon. Still groggy from her secret snooze, Rosie stumbles as she lands on the front porch, then rights herself and glances back. But there's s not a hint of animosity in those expressive, green eyes. No matter the millions of times we repeat this routine, she seems incapable of holding a grudge.

Mentally, I tip my hat. That's the spirit, I think as I start the long Wednesday plow that eventually culminates in my bedtime. Savor the sweet things while you have them.

On a walk with a friend, later on, I catch myself following Rosie's feline lead. The lay of a field, freshly-plowed. A covey of cows bedded down the road. Trees in bloom. Tiny plants. Each observation garners more appreciation that I would normally feel, and by the end of our walk, my sludgy weekday spirit has risen to one of gratitude, one of joy.

"Moments have been on my mind," my walking partner mentions as we wind down our stroll. She's contemplating a potential move, dabbling in planting a garden, striving to live out a peace that flies in the face of a thousand unknowns. "This is the life that we have, here, right now. This is what we should enjoy."

I nod, she smiles, and we both laugh. Enjoying life's moments sounds easy ... until you try. But I sense, as we pick up the pace and near our walk's end, we're both willing work for it. The payoff may not look like Rosie's slow stretch on her stolen bed. But it'll be wonderful, all the same.

More peace? Perhaps. More joy. Without a doubt. And hopefully, with a little careful maneuvering, several catnaps to savor, as well.