The Japan Disasters and the Revelation of my Life…
I remember the day like it was yesterday. Dan and I were in the car on our way to work and I found myself questioning my life. I remember saying it out loud. “Is this it?” “Isn’t there something more to my life’s purpose?” Dan and I had a job in the same company, but we were not emotionally fulfilled or satisfied with our careers. I didn’t know what it was that I wanted or what I felt was missing, but there was a certain emptiness in my life.
Several months later, we were both laid off on the same day at the same time and all of a sudden that job that meant little to me, meant everything. I was unemployed and if I felt confused about my purpose before, it was far worse now as I quickly learned I had no real value in an economy that was not looking to hire a woman in her late forties.
After a long personal struggle, it was actually my family of seven cats and a little inspiration from the Ellen DeGeneres Show that pulled me out of my depression and gave me the strength to follow a dream of mine – to write a book. I felt invigorated and empowered by the process and fell in love with writing about a subject I am so passionate about – my cats, but I still did not know what my purpose was or the path that I was about to embark on.
I think I had originally envisioned I would write a book, everyone would fall in love with it, and I would become the next Dewey or Marley and Me so I could then retire and live a comfortable life out in the country with Dan and some horses, cats, dogs, and assorted farm life. What I had not envisioned is how profoundly the process would change me or where it would lead me. I have not achieved the fame or recognition I had hoped for and I still live in my same house with Dan and my seven cats, but my world has been so significantly enlarged and altered that I am often overwhelmed with emotion at the scope of it all.
My personal revelation...
I can’t recall a specific day to mark the occasion, there have collectively been so many, but my heart is full and I have a purpose now. I can feel it in every fiber of my being and have embraced it with such passion that it has taken on a life of its own that I cannot control. I feel a true calling to educate people through writing, photos, and video about cats. Not just cats, but to create a broader public awareness about ferals, strays, spaying and neutering and cat overpopulation. I came to a strong realization that if me, someone who has loved and adored cats all of her life, did not understand the full scope and enormity of the dire situation, then how could we possibly expect mainstream America to fare any better?
It started with my informative series about the Loews cats at the Portofino Resort in Orlando and the misconceptions about feral cats in general after I interviewed Christine Michaels of Riverfront Cats Miami. It has now brought me to an international platform that I never expected. Someone in Japan had read one of my posts in the series and commented to me on facebook that I had helped her better understand how to care for feral cats. It turns out this extraordinary young woman gave up the comfort of her life in the United States – her friends, family, and even her two cats, to move to Japan to help the homeless cats in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011.
Compassion is a universal language...
As we are on the eve of the anniversary of those horrific events, tomorrow I will begin my next series of interviews that will be continued in the weeks to come about not only this incredible woman, but several others who have devoted their lives to helping these cats. I am quite honored to bring these stories to life for you and am humbled beyond words at the dedication, compassion, and altruism of these people. It truly is a small world and the language of caring and compassion is universal.
If you have not had a chance to read my informative series, “The Mainstreaming of a Feral Cat,” here are the links. They also include compelling video footage of my interview with Christine Michaels as well as a visit to her Riverfront colony of cats that she manages:
Part One: https://zeezoey.com/blog/the-mainstreaming-of-a-feral-cat-part-one/
Part Two: https://zeezoey.com/blog/the-mainstreaming-of-a-feral-cat-part-two/
Beautiful post. It is quite amazing where our journeys take us, isn’t it? And it’s all because of our cats.
Thank you Ingrid – I know that you can certainly relate to much of this post. It is a bit overwhelming at times, but so wonderful as well.
Deb, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story! How inspiring! The cats (and people who love them) of the world are lucky to have you in it….
Thank you Caroline – I hope it can inspire other people to follow their own dreams and I really appreciate your sweet comment about my love for cats…
Beautiful photo of a beautiful soul inside and out. You are truly blessed to have found your calling.
Thank you so much Layla. I really wish I could devote more time to my efforts, but one day it will all fall into place, I am confident of that…
You know, as the Woman starts writing fiction (yes she has two books that are in the editing phase) and moves over into her artwork as an artist and follows her passion she is more and more drawn to work with people who love animals and to work for them in sharing their passion. Who knows where the journey will end but we take your story and add it to others and think–yes this is a much nicer place to be than with the acupuncturists.
Oh Chey, as always, you bring such a delightful wicked honesty and humor to all of your comments!! We look forward to the Woman’s books and can only imagine how wonderfully insightful and written they will be!
That is why we all love you soooooooooooooo much, hugs!!!
Brian…. awww……….. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just want to hug you…to say thank you, and congratulations and am so happy you are happy, too!
Everyone has been so kind today, but Teri, you have pushed me off the deep end and brought me to tears… You must be the Barbara Walters of cat commenting!! Thank you for the hug and warm words – it means the world to me!
you and Christine are certain to make an unstoppable pair!! Together you will accomplish so much! Kudos to all you have accomplished thus far
Thank you Caren – I know we will try our best, that is for sure!! We appreciate your support and thank you for all you do for the kitties as well (and doggies)!!
Dear Deb, you are so wonderful so I offer my furry chest to you. You can have a Big Hug from me : )
I love to hug lady, you know…tee…heh
xox
Thank you Puddy!! That is such a sweet gesture and I gladly accept a furry hug from you!! Love you back! xoxo
Such is the internet, that someone writing a blog about cats in south Florida can affect feral cats in Japan! Awesome :). Well done Deb. You have certainly been on a journey 🙂 xox
It has been amazing Carolyn, but I have only begun to scratch the surface. And it really is amazing that a blog can do something like that – obviously when I first started writing Zee and Zoey’s Chronicle Connection, I just thought it would be a bunch of posts about my kitties and that would be that! I’m glad I was wrong…
That is such a great post. I sure do appreciate that you are helping all the feral cats in the world because they sure can use the help. There couldn’t be a better way of life, than helping feral and stray cats. I sure do thank you so much. Can’t wait to see the next post.
Thank you Marg – we all help in our own ways. You, by taking these cats in, and me by words. The important thing, we are all working towards the same goal, which is to make the world a better place for these cats.