Midweek Message October 2, 2025

**Image includes Jolyn's black Bombay cats, Salem, Ember, and Nox, all around six months of age.**

"In the hush between heartbeats, a cat teaches us the language of silence, where love curls softly and time forgets to rush." — Unknown

In a world that never stops moving, where time slips through our fingers like grains of sand, sometimes the greatest lessons come not from books or speeches—but from the quiet presence of a cat curled up by the window.

To those who have welcomed a cat into their home, you know it isn’t just “owning a pet.” It’s an unspoken agreement between souls. A bond that deepens with every shared silence, every soft paw on your chest after a hard day, every slow blink exchanged across a room. A cat is not just a companion; they are a friend, a family member, and, in many ways, a teacher.

Cats have mastered the art of presence. While we rush from task to task, driven by endless to-do lists and digital noise, cats remind us to be still. To stretch in the sun. To listen to the rain. To take naps unapologetically.

Have you ever watched a cat rest? Truly rest. Not just lying down, but melting into the moment as if time itself were a soft blanket. They are Zen masters in fur. They teach us that slowing down is not laziness—it’s healing.

Cats do not beg. They do not grovel. They do not chase approval. They know what they want and they communicate it without shame. Whether it’s food, space, affection, or solitude, they assert their needs with quiet confidence.

There is profound wisdom in that. In a world where many of us are taught to put others first, to fear rejection, or to overextend ourselves to be liked—cats stand firm. They say, “I am enough, exactly as I am.” What if we could learn to do the same?

When grief knocks on your door, or loneliness settles in your bones, a cat doesn’t try to fix you. They don't offer words or platitudes. They simply stay. On the bed. In the corner. On your chest. A silent guardian of your sadness.

There’s power in that quiet companionship. In a world that often demands explanations and solutions, cats offer what we sometimes need most: the freedom to just feel, without judgment.

A fly on the window. A cardboard box. A patch of sunlight. A jingle ball. Cats find joy in what we overlook. They remind us that life doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful. That wonder can live in the smallest corners of our day—if we just pay attention.

Their playfulness isn’t just entertainment—it’s a lesson. A call to reconnect with curiosity. To laugh more. To explore. To delight.

Whether you found them at a shelter, on the street, or they found you in some mysterious cosmic way, cats become part of your story. They are woven into the fabric of your home, your routines, your heart.

They know your voice. Your moods. The sound of your footsteps. And even if they don't come running (because, well, they're cats), they notice. They care—in their own beautifully aloof but fiercely loyal way.

Cats remind us that family is not just about blood. It’s about presence. About mutual trust. About showing up—day after day, paw after paw.

In the End…

Cats may not speak our language. They may not wag their tails or perform tricks on command. But they teach. They guide. They love.

And perhaps that’s the most powerful kind of relationship: one that doesn’t need noise to be deep, or words to be real. One that sits quietly beside you and says, “You’re not alone.”

So the next time you find your cat watching the rain, or lying in a sunbeam with their paws tucked just right—pause. Watch. Learn.

They might just be the wisest soul in the room.

-Jolyn Emrys

Communication & Membership Manager