Of Cats, and Mice, and Little Nagging Issues That Won't go Away

We lost our little cat about a year ago. Frodo was about twelve, and a much-loved member of the family. His personality fit the family very well. We think the coyotes got him, but of course, we’ll never know. I miss him. About a month after he failed to show up at the house, I noticed that we had a big bag of cat food in the garage. We usually keep his food in a small garbage can, to keep the mice and insects away from it. I told my wife “We’ll have to put that away, before the critters get into it.” But I didn’t do anything about it. Several months later I mentioned it again. “I’d better put that away, before the mice get into it.” But I didn’t do anything about it. A few weeks ago, a full year after we lost Frodo, I finally got around to moving the bag. When I picked it up, it was less than half full. The mice had burrowed into the back of the bag, where I couldn’t see the hole, and had been feasting on the contents. They’d eaten more than half the bag. (Actually, they’d also been moving the contents to other places. A pair of my work boots was half full of cat food.) I realized that this situation has a life lesson for us. We ignore small problems that can drain us of energy and passion. Remember that phone call with your neighbor that didn’t end well? The cross words you had with your brother last Christmas? The handful of office supplies that you took home from work for your child’s homework project?. (You meant to go back and pay for them, but never got around to it.) Some of these things may be almost invisible, but your mind touches on them from time to time. Each time they come to mind, they take a small piece of your contentment away. Take the time to address some of those small issues that may be draining you of peace. Merry Christmas.