Last week we mentioned we would again be taking a lighter approach to December and instead of being focused on the blog we’d be focused on our families, our relationships, in the experiences of the holidays.

Over the weekend, I got a big push in the direction of practicing presence.

My sweet, dear feline, Parsley, experienced a mild stroke on Friday evening. She is thankfully doing well and showing great signs of recovery. But it reminded me, yet again, that my time with her is limited; as is our time in every relationship. We often feel like we have forever and we don’t slow down, we don’t take time or make time to be with each other.

As I sat at the emergency vet I looked through my phone at all the funny photos I have taken of our cats over the last several weeks. They brought back good memories and I know how much joy and comfort they have brought into our lives. And I know it won’t last forever. It’s part of what makes life special. Knowing there is an end to everything is what brings an urgency to our experience. We are far too often distracted from that truth.

I’ve been through some hard times with Miss Parsley. She’s had a rough go of it from the beginning of her life and overcome a few battles along the way and yet she still gets up every morning wth seemingly nothing but love to give and happiness to enjoy.

And she’s been with me through my own struggles. And at some of my lowest points I have had her by my side. She shows up.

So while I don’t know how this will all work out I have a renewed presence of mind. She could be with us another 10 years or much less, who’s to know. But that’s the same with every relationship we have. We think we know, but we have no idea what’s ahead.

I am reminded today to be present in my relationships and to make more effort than I sometimes do. I am reminded to show up in those interactions. And it’s not always easy to do that. I had a whole list of things I wanted to accomplish this weekend but instead I spent time at the vet, making decisions, and then yesterday I mostly laid in bed with my cat because that’s what she wanted to do.

A year from now the list of to-dos will likely have slipped my mind but my time with her likely will still be present.