My firstborn son is remarkable. When he was born, he weighed eight pounds, two and a half ounces. But he was purple. It was a difficult birth. He was in distress and suddenly I was being put under so they could use large butterfly forceps to extract him from the birth canal. I later figured out that the asthmatic pneumonia he developed at two and a half was probably due to weak lungs that suffered damage at birth.
Fast forward… healthy as a horse. Some asthma remained a problem, especially around animals. Dogs, cats, horses, mules. Never a good idea. He has been even more serious about his health in his forties and turning fifty since his father died at fifty-four, having not taking particularly good care of his own health.
Recently, living alone, he decided to adopt a “health-needs cat”. She is eight years old and has wobbly cat syndrome. Long-haired, blonde Ms. Puff is eight years old and also has a tendency to get ear infections and possibly UTIs. He went all out for this feline with every accoutrement one could imagine. My husband and I went over to meet her the day Ben brought her home. She is adorable. I admit I claimed the role of officially checking in on Ms. Puff as Cat Gramma when he travels. I love cats. When our last one, Pepper of seventeen years, died in my arms, we said, “No more.” So I was thrilled to ‘share a kitty’.
Naturally, Ben’s allergies and breathing went nuts within twenty-four hours. Before a week had passed, he had see the allergy specialist, run the tests and was on a couple of inhalers and beginning allergy shots. He knew this would happen. But he is willing to take on the responsibility for a needy animal and do whatever it takes. Both of his children love cats as well and she has accepting them easily. Lots of laughter and petting happening all the time.
What is so impressive to me is the choice Ben made. For the first time in a long time, he has more options for how to live his life. He had said not long ago that he really wanted to spend the rest of his life “giving back”. I have seen this in his nature from the time he was small. In his very busy, stressful, and productive life, he has always participated in efforts to help others, donating time, skills, and material needs for many causes. He has a generous, caring heart. He’s a very good guy–even if he is mine. But this…
This is a choice to invest and sacrifice for a vulnerable cat who might otherwise spend the rest of her life in a cage. Maybe he related somehow. Giving her freedom to be cared for and free speaks volumes about him in my opinion.
Regardless of any reason, it makes my heart swell with pride. And I am grateful.
Mother Factors 