The People Behind My Eyes

Gracie turned two on the 2nd of this month. Her official name is Petey’s Grace. For those of you who remember Gracie’s name use to be Lake-a Gray Girl but it got changed to Gracie after she lived through the a serious ordeal. We changed her name to Grace because she lived only by the grace of God. Around that same time a very loyal family dog passed away so to honor him we added his name to the front of Gracie’s name to come up with Petey’s Grace. So that is how Gracie got her name. When she turns 13 I’ll post something like PG-13 Oh How She’s Aged. But that post is a long ways off. This post is about Bella though, the gabber, the I never shut up unless I’m sleeping, I want my way and I want it now, beautiful gabber.

So, Bella turned one the 28th of this month. She actually made it to age one. I can’t believe it. She lived through being kicked by Captain Crunch. He kicks in his sleep and she only once made the mistake of napping at his feet. She’s been beaten up by Gracie more times than I can count.    It’s not that she doesn’t start it. She starts it and Gracie finishes it. Bella found out that if she screams a certain way Captain will come to the rescue and break ‘em up. So, when she thinks she’s about to get her little tail kicked she screams for Captain who loyally answers the cry. Usually she’s fearless, confident, defiant, self-motivated yet dependent. I’ve said it a hundred times, she is both strong and vulnerable in a way that deserves nothing but respect. I find myself drawn to her because of her mix of strength and neediness. I have learned from a cat that it is okay to be both strong and needy. I can be strong. I can be needy but I don’t want to ever beat myself up about the neediness or vulnerabilities because doing so doesn’t allow me to focus on my strengths or even use them. Heck, it took a four legged whinny kitten to show me how to balance the two.

She may have shown me a few things about life but there’s something I’d like to show her. I’d like to show her how to shut up. But looking at the pictures you’re probably thinking, oh she’s so sweet I’m sure she never gets in trouble and I’m sure she’s quiet and angelic. And it would be true…sometimes except for the quiet part. Sometimes she’s a real brat. She is constantly whining about this that and the other. Hold me. I want more mackerel, where’s my teddy bear, Gracie’s on the pillow that I want. The girl is forever coming to me to meow about something. I’m not putting the food in the bowl fast enough so she meows that horrible Siamese cat meow! I didn’t realize how much was in her until one day it appeared her back legs grew two inches and her front legs didn’t. Now you can see and feel the kink in her tail. But the voice, oh the voice! That’s how she got her name Gabby but since I thought she was such a pretty kitten I added Bella which turned into her official name Gabriella.

A very long time ago, a year, Bella prayed that she would grow into her eyes. Her kitten prayer was answered. She has beautiful gold almond shaped eyes.

But on occasion she still looks shocked.

J of A