One early morning I awoke with these words as clear as a ringing bell in my head…. Conversations with Ollie. Ollie is my 5 year old cat and Ollie was in my room that morning upon awakening, sitting in my windowsill, ready to play and greet the day, and apparently, was telling me, “Mom, share our conversations with the world.” (One Forest, that is 😉). So, I took his advice and reflected here are some heart to heart conversations I’ve had with my beloved 4-legged friend 🐈⬛.
Me: “Ollie, what’s it like to be you, to be a cat?”
Ollie: “Oh, it’s a great life! I eat and sleep whenever I want, and I love all the toys you’ve given me, especially the balls! That helps when I feel the need to run and jump around.”
Me: “Do you ever get bored?”
Ollie: “Not really. I love watching those pesky creatures outside the doors, but it makes me want to be outside more!”
Me: “I know you want to be outside more, but that scares me.”
Ollie: “Why?”
Me: “When you were little and would disappear for hours outside, I was terribly afraid that you wouldn’t be able to find your way back home or something bad would happen; now, I’m just scared that something bad will happen to you.”
Ollie: “But the world’s not as bad as you think. There are some predators that I need to be aware of out there in the woods and up in the sky, but don’t forget, I’m a predator too, and it’s in my nature to be one.”
Me: “I know, Ollie, but it’s hard for me to think of you as a predator, but yes, the soul in me knows this. I still don’t like you being outside unchaperoned, which I know your dad allows much of the time.”
Ollie: “I know, Mom, and I do hear you two argue about this and it makes me sad, and a little anxious.”
Me: “I’m sorry, Ollie. I’ll keep trying to work on calming my fears, and encourage your dad to be more patient. We both can do a better job controlling our conversations without loud voices.”
“One thing I’ve noticed a lot about you is that you do seem to be highly sensitive to the world around you, really since your dad brought you home. Is there anything we can do to make things at home better for you?”
Ollie: “Nope. It’s just the way I am, Mom. It takes me longer to settle down because I feel a lot of ‘tingles’ in the air, and I don’t like strangers. Remember, we animals experience the world in a different way than you humans do…. Some things look brighter or darker, and some sounds are louder to us. I really really do not like what you call ‘thunder!” That really scares me so I have to leave you and go hide to feel safe. Thank you for allowing me to be me and not trying to change me.”
“I know you love me and want to cuddle with me, but I show my love and affection in other ways–that’s why I bring you my toys!”
Me: “Yes, you do! You’ve played with me more than any other cat, ever, and that makes me so happy.”
Ollie: “I’m glad because I love to toss the ball to you and try to catch it when you throw it back to me!”
Me: “One other thing I’d like to know more about is this…. I’ve noticed that we seem to “mirror” each other…. What I mean is that many of our health problems feel connected–they’re similar in nature and we’re both highly sensitive to other people–I feel ‘tingles’ too! Sometimes, I wish I could go run and hide with you!
Ollie: “Yep, we’re a lot alike! I don’t understand or know all the reasons we’re this way, but I do know that I probably pick up on your ‘tingles’, I think you call it, “energy?”, which gets mixed in with mine. You know, it’s that “frequency” stuff you talk a lot about.
Me: “Well, that makes sense. It’s like we’re sorta tuned in to the same channel.
“When you were really ill a few months ago, I was terrified of losing you. I couldn’t imagine you not being here. I still feel that way and I don’t think that will ever change.”
“This is a month when we humans count our blessings and remind ourselves to be grateful and thankful, and I’m so thankful for you, my Love.”
Ollie: “Thank you, Mom. We animals just live in the moment and we hope you humans can practice more of that–I think you call it “mindfulness?”
Me: “Yes, that’s right, Ollie.”
Ollie: “I’m always right here, right now. I don’t worry about the future, or death or dying. But I am aware of feelings in my heart and of those in humans, and above all, I just want my family to know that you’re all loved no matter what.”
“I think there’s a phrase you humans say when you’re trying to be kind and compassionate to one another and when others are hurting–”holding the space?”
Me: “Yep, that’s it. We say that when we want to convey love and respect without getting in the way of another–it’s a way of loving them and holding them, especially if they’re sad or in pain.”
Ollie: “I like that saying. And I like doing that for you. Just like all my other brothers and sisters did for you before I came along.”
Me: “Ollie, thank you so much for being exactly who you are!”
Ollie: “Oh, you’re welcome. It’s just who I am. Oh, and one more thing…. Pepper says Hi and that she’s holding down the fort, keeping everybody in line until you return home, where she’ll be waiting for you.”
Me: “Tell her that I can’t wait to see her and everyone else!”
Ollie: “You can tell her yourself, you know.”
Me: “Yes, you’re right. I do know. Thank you for reminding me.”
Ollie: “And wow, she’s sorta bossy. She really likes being in charge!”
Me: “That’s Pepper, for sure!”
I love you, Ollie.
I love you, too, Mom.
Til next we meet in the forest….
Love,
Amanda♥️
