and along came hope...

I am certain my anxiety was apparent in my voice as I called to Luna one more time. The kittens had run into the meadow, following me as I harvested leaves from a nearby tree for a goat treat. Grass so tall & thick...with thistle & nettle & milkweed--butting up to endless acres of corn. Pearl & Meadow had bounded back out, then in again, playing as only kitties do....but no sign of little Luna. Big sister-Whisper & I had sat at the edge of the meadow watching the babies play & waiting to see all three, waiting long enough for Whisper to run off on an adventure of her own, long enough for dusk to settle in. Enough time had passed to alarm me...at 3 months they are still so little, getting lost is too easy. So I called to her, wandering the edges of the meadow calling.

And then she was there, not Luna...but momma cat, Hope. I know she could hear my alarm, and out from the barn she arrived. She sniffed the grass at the edge of the meadow, then entered & disappeared. No sound, except for the two visible babies playing. I scouted all the edges, looking for any movement, listening for any sound. Worry lingered - and I waited...

Quiet & hot. And then my Hope and a tiny panting Luna came out of the tall grass.

So often I lift her into my arms and thank her. This lost cat that arrived at our farm three years ago - my Hope. Blessing us with 4 litters....and teaching us so many countless lessons along the way. Last night she reminded me again that courage is often quiet, that hope runs deep, and that a mother's love knows no obstacle.