NS May 23rd, 2008

Yesterday evening, I went out to the garden to take laundry down off the line before putting TNC to bed. It was 7.30 so the light was beginning to fade ever-so-slightly. As I folded clothes and placed them in the white plastic basket, I watched TNC chase the cat, Lola, round and round, squealing with delight. When Lola wouldn’t come to her, TNC ran inside, grabbed her food bag off the kitchen counter and came back out shaking it, calling “Lola! Food! Treat!” as she has heard us do so often. My heart swelled and a big grin spread across my face as I watched the intense concentration with which she crept towards her beloved pet with a single morsel of cat food in her tiny hand, enticing her to come out of hiding and into her arms. When the cat finally came near, TNC scooped Lola up in her arms, pressed her face into her luxurious black fur and said “My cat. Friend. Pet,” before releasing her lovingly back into the kitchen and shutting the door behind her to keep her inside and safe.

Tears pricked my eyes and I stopped mid-fold, committing that memory to my mind forever, depositing it into the bank of love and joy that she fills daily. I know that one day I too will want to scoop my beloved up and entice her into my arms but she won’t come running as she’ll be far too busy exploring, learning and becoming independent. I won’t be able to keep the kitchen door shut forever but in the meantime I will enjoy every moment that I can capture, no matter how fleeting.

• Antics of The Noble Child , Parenting 101
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