"Just when you think it can't get any worse--it can. And just when you think it can't get any better, it can."
-Nicholas Sparks
I haven't blogged in awhile. But after a particularly rough evening I decided I would. Let me explain the title of this blog first I suppose.
We have this kitten. Her name is Matilda. She was born a little over three weeks ago. Right after she was born, she became very sick. Of her five siblings, only her and one brother survived. Now her brother recovered fine, and is nearly three times her size, but Matilda wasn't so lucky. The disease spread to her eyes, and infection claimed one of them. She only has one full eye, and the infection is working to take it as well. Because she was so sick, her mother abandoned her. Not one to let a poor kitten die, I began bottle-feeding it. Everyday my mother or I clean her face and feed her. At first she was very sluggish and it was clear that she would starve before infection could take her. But after a couple weeks of bottle-feeding, the difference is clear.
Now, I was feeding her tonight, just going through the motions, kind of taking note that she was eating twice as much as usual, which was a good sign. Meanwhile I was moping, trying to figure out several things that are stressing me. I grabbed a rag and began to clean her eyes. She never likes it when I do that, but it had to be done. After several minutes of squirming and mewing, I stopped and let her go. She paused on my lap, and with a few excited glances around the room, she looked up an me--and focused upon my face with an eye that clearly had full vision. Now, I won't profess to be able to read cat emotions, but she looked very happy, and extrememly excited.
Back to the quote, Matida has taught me the validity of what Sparks said. We all feared she would die, yet she fought on and things became better. Things might get worse first, but they always get better.
Now I'm still slightly stressed. Such is the life of a college student, but I have faith now that things can get better. My kitten might only have one eye, but she was clearly grateful for the one she still has. Life is hard, but it makes you that much more grateful for the blessings one does have. So be grateful. We may not see the whole staircase, but we have to take that first step anyways.
Take that step. Follow that road. -Lola
