It's Raining Men - Hallelujah

The Men In My Life

Melissa Dallago

When it comes to men I have to say that I have had both good and bad, well mostly bad, experiences with the opposite sex.  Throughout my life I have usually been most strongly aligned with the women in my family, and at times, it almost felt like a battle between the sexes.  My biological father was very much a non-entity in my life, and honestly it has been almost 20 years since I spoke with him.  The man that had the most impact on my life was the man who entered my life as my step-father, and exited it as my father when he passed away.  He was such a strong influence on my life, and had such an effect on my own personality that I did not realize it until after he was gone.  Sure, we had our ups and downs, but through it all he remained a strong supporter and advocate of me.    

My mother always said to me "don't marry young," and I have to admit that I took it to heart as I am still not married at the age of 36, but I'm okay with that.  When I began to venture into the dating pool a/k/a shark tank when I was oh about 25, what can I say I was a late bloomer, I got attacked by way too many sharks.  I have had the ups and downs of the relationship roller coaster and I did not always enjoy the ride.  I have been lied to, cheated on, have had alcohol chosen over me, and been dumped, bumped, and left by the wayside by those wonderful creatures from Mars.  It got to the point where instead of meeting the proverbial Mr. Right, I would accept Mr. He'll Do.  I also like to say that it was because of men's antics that I went from being an idealist, to a realist, and then finally to a pessimist.  I was totally prepared to spend the rest of my life in solitude, that was until I met David and my whole perspective changed.

David is a wonderful, loving, supportive, understanding, kind and considerate, dare I say it, man!  He is everything that the white knight is supposed to be, and he has certainly swept me off of my feet.  We met after our respective fathers passed away, so I know that they both had a hand in our meeting, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't whisper "thanks Dad."  David is the yin to my yang.  Where I am negative, he is positive (sometimes too much so, but that is my pessimist talking), where I am spontaneous, he is balanced, and where I am overly emotional, he is almost Spock-like.  In other words we compliment each other.  And the true beauty is that we are both control freaks, so if one of us forgets something, the other most likely already has it covered.  The bottom line is I love him with all of my heart, and I am most proud to say that he is my Mr. Right, and its about damn time.  

Those are the men in my life.

Borrowed Heaven

Borrowed Heaven

- Melissa Dallago

We are here but for a short time, 

but we let fear rule our days.

We must be mindful of those who have passed, 

as they are reminders to hold fast.

To hold fast to the love and the fears.

To hold fast to the joys and the tears.

We must hold fast to the lessons we learn, 

and the misfortunes we may earn.

Each of these serve as reminders that

we are alive, and here only for 

a limited time.

Some say that this is heaven on earth,

I can concur with that.

We are born from above with

our lives in our hands.

We have choices to make and deeds to be done.

This is our gift, our very breath in our lungs,

the blood in our veins, and our capacity to feel 

and know the bonds of love.

These are our gifts from the forces above.

We must live life to the fullest, not get 

muddled with doubt.

We must reach for our dreams, 

not get stuck in the rut.

We must reach for the best that is within us,

and not get burdened with pettiness.

Our very life is a gift, borrowed from above.

I say live our lives in this borrowed heaven, 

and celebrate the essence that is us.

Rut - Melissa Dallago

Stuck in a rut,

Down in the muck.

I’m starting to tire,

From being in the mire.

I long to be free of this hell,

But I cannot quell the screaming that

Echoes inside my shell.

I have no concept of peace, or

How to reach that inner house of

Beauty and relief.

I rust from one fire to another,

In an effort to quench my desire for

A never ending quest, an imagined finish line

Where I am complete and whole.

Where there is someone with a trophy

To congratulate me for a race well run,

And when I can proudly say I’m done.

Alas, something like that will never come to pass,

Until my days have reached their last,

And it is my time to go into that great unknown

And onto new conquests in the place called home.

While that day is hopefully long away,
I must continue in this place and on my never ending

Quest to get out of the mire and own myself,

My life, and that peace that I endlessly seek.

One day I will find it,

This I known,

A day at a time, is all that can be foretold.

Close to the Veil - Melissa Dallago

So what is this thing that we call life?  What does it all mean?  Why do we keep going about our day to day lives as if it all actually meant something?  In fact, does it really mean anything, or is it simply a fallacy and a shame?  Is it all just smoke and mirrors?  Is anything in this realm real? 

For the last eight months I have been questioning my very existence.  I have been so close to the veil that I have glimpsed the other side.  My father’s passing opened my eyes to that, but then after things settled and you still hear nothing you begin to wonder if there is an “afterlife”.  Alternatively, there may be an “afterlife,” but what does it all mean for those of us who are left behind?  Does this day to day mendacity really amount to anything?  Is all the torment and suffering that we experience really worth it?  How does that suffering really pay off and make life worth it?  Do we truly learn anything from it, or is it all for nothing?

I have experienced varying stages of loss throughout my life.  The loss of a relationship, the loss of a pet, the loss of a precious object, a job, etc., however those losses are far less meaningful than the loss of a parent!  I lost my grandparents at 15 and 22 respectively, and while their passing hurt and altered my life, I was too young to truly understand and appreciate the full magnitude of what a death really means.  Losing a parent truly rips the veil, and whatever other defense mechanisms you have away, and leaves you naked and so very vulnerable. 

I have been looking back over my life and trying to learn what it all really means.  Of late, I have wanted nothing more than to give up and stay in my cave and let the world and life walk on by.  I questions what it means, and if it is really worth it, if all we experience at the end of our lives is sickness, pain, and ultimately death, and with that death there is nothing else.  So truly, if it all ends that way, then why bother in giving a damn and trying to find happiness since it all goes away in the end! 

The one life lesson that has been repeatedly driven home is the fact that everything can change in the blink of an eye.  In one moment all that you have known and depended on for a time in your life is swept away.  It can be something as simple as a look from a partner or as complicated as a life changing accident or illness.  It is as if in that one moment a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, volcano all chose that time to wreck your world and you are left standing amidst the ruins.  I have experienced several of those moments, and each one is a scar that is etched across my heart and soul.  After each of those moments, I have become more jaded, more cynical, and less forgiving of the realities of life.

 

I try not to play the victim, as I know I am a fighter and capable of surviving anything, like a cockroach, but I become so very frustrated and angry at the powers that be, humanity, fate, the universe, and just life in general.  I scream at top of  my lungs, and rail against the inconsideration of the wheels of fate and life, but no one and nothing can hear me.  I feel so very alone, tormented, and afraid.  My emotions become too much for me to handle, my former passion and love of life dwindle, and I am a shell, an echo of myself.  I am an amorphous vapor, a shadow, something and someone that is only living a half-life.  

Every day, every moment, I ask what does it all mean, is it worth it, and will I ever be able to feel “human” again.  Most importantly, I question my past and what lessons I have learned.  What has the death of my father taught me?  It is in the asking of that question, that the healing process can begin.  It is painful, I continue to rail, I continue to rage, but I am beginning to feel emotions again, and I am trying to process my lessons.  In the end, life is a marathon, but there is no finish line that you cross.  It is a long and painful road, but there are shreds of joy and happiness, and there are places of respite for reflection.  I am, I think, at one of the pauses on that road, where I need to reflect on what I have learned, and what it all means.  My father’s death has changed me forever, and it is now time to learn how.

Frustration

Frustration

- Melissa Dallago

We all know the saying, "if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger."  There is some truth to that sentiment.  After all of the experiences I have had, some good, some bad, and all of them interesting, I am made of steel.  Well, parts of me are, but the majority of me is still very, very squishy and easily prone to injury.  I find that I get easily frustrated with the mendacity and mediocrity that surrounds me in my journey through life.  I also know the saying that, "life is what you make of it."  Life is mundane, repetitive, grinding and trivial at times.  It is those shining moments of epiphany that makes life interesting and keep us playing the game.  However, of late, those shining moments have been in the decline for me.  I have had a long-term drought of those moments, and my soul is crying out for them.

We all experience these droughts.  We plant our seeds, harvest the bounty, and then must let our fields lie dormant and fallow.  This helps to harvest a more bountiful crop during the next planting.  I know this instinctively, but that does not make it any easier for me.  I have had enough trauma in my life.  I am screaming at the top of my lungs and no one hears me.  I get frustrated with the idiocy of those around me, and the selfishness they exhibit.  But when I begin to feel that way, I am just as selfish as they are.  I am no different, but in ways I am, because I am more attuned to myself and those around me more than most.  When is it going to be my turn?

I know I am not alone in these sentiments.  We all have our highs and lows.  We all earn wounds, some self-inflicted, and others through no fault of our own.  Those wounds turn into scars and thicken our hides.  Our naivety and innocence are stripped away with each passing year.  We become just a little more jaded and get pushed further down the road to bitterness with each painful experience or major disappointment.  We begin to doubt the goodness of man.  We begin to think that it is all so trivial and meaningless.  

I know there is goodness, and I hope to once again see the joy and beauty of life.  Unfortunately, hope doesn't float much for me right now.  I'm sure in time things will improve.  Again, we've all been there before.  Some of us have been lucky and gotten out of the muck.  Others have chosen to stay, as they like the view.  I flip flop back and forth.  I look up at all the people who are laughing, smiling and enjoying the party.  Then I look down around me and see the sadness.  Sure its sadness, but its nice and quiet here, and the muck is warm.  If I do try to lift myself up out of the mire and join the party, I feel that there is someone up there, a bouncer if you will, saying my name isn't on the list and I cannot enter the club.  So I go back down to my pit and sulk.  Maybe next time.  So yes, when am I going to be allowed to enter the party and have the time of my life.  I guess I’ll either wait until my name is on the list or devise an escape plan to get out of here.  

Therein lies my frustration.

Everyday - Melissa Jean

Everyday I chose

Everyday I chose to be confident

Everyday I chose to love you

Everyday I chose to live my life as I see it

Every day I chose to live my life as you see it

Everyday I renew my self esteem

Everyday I renew your self esteem

Everyday I chose to be true to myself

Everyday I chose to be true to you

This is the perfect dichotomy

The perfect balance to one’s life

To be true to yourself, while being true to another

Is the perfect equation

Which we seek to balance everyday of our lives

Independence - MJD

My independence shall not be in vain,

Nor shall my love become a bane

To my very existence.

Balance is essential to find

Love of oneself, and love of another

A perfect dance, a perfect duet

How to remain true to oneself

While loving another whole-heartedly

Is the ultimate quest

To lose oneself in love

Without losing the love for thyself

Is the ultimate challenge

How to balance that everlasting equation

Is the true test

Shakespeare quotes to thine ownself be true

How to be true to one and another

Is the ultimate test

America - 10 Years After 9-11

America – 10 Years After 9-11

Melissa Dallago

            You may or may not have been born the day that America was attacked.  If you were born prior to 9/11/01, you will vividly remember that fateful Tuesday.  You will remember where you were when America was so violently attacked.  You will remember how you felt, what you were thinking, whether or not you whether or not you saw the second plane strike the second World Trade Tower.  You will remember the horror and pain that you felt that 3,000 Americans were murdered.  You will remember the prayers uttered, and the tears wept for the loss our nation had suffered.  You will remember the heroic measures that the NY Firemen went to to try and rescue people from the towers.  You will remember the haunting calls that were played on the radio of the flight traffic control trying to raise Flight 93 after it had crashed into the lonely Pennsylvania field.  You will remember the terror at the fact that the heart of our nation was struck by a plane, the Pentagon.  You will remember watching the Twin Towers falling, bringing the demise of those still trapped inside.  You will remember the days after 9/11 and the rescue efforts of those working at the site to try to recover the living and wounded from the wreckage.  You will remember all the terror, all the pain, and the outrage, and most importantly the pride that you felt in your fellow countrymen as we as a nation ran to help the fallen, and their families.  Hopefully you will remember the compassion you felt for your family, friends, and neighbors, and even strangers on the street.  You will remember that we were awoken in the most violent manner possible.   We were angry, emotionally crushed, but our spirit, that American spirit, was not broken, but rose from a horrible tragedy and banded us together as a great nation once more. 

            If you were not born before that fateful day, then I wish you can hope to understand the terror and fear that your elders faced.  But most of all I hope you understand and take heart to the lessons of pride, unity, strength and courage that we all conveyed both individually and as a nation in the face of a world that was forever changed that fateful day.  You were born post 9/11.  You were born into a very different world, and 9/11/01 is a date that will live in infamy as a horrible day, but it is also the day that we all showed the world that America has “the Right Stuff.”

            I was born in 1975.  I remember quite well where I was that day.  I remember hearing a breaking news announcement on the radio saying that a plane had just struck one of the towers in the World Trade Center.  I remember running to the television and tuning to the local news channel and watching in horror as the plane's tail hung out of the side of the building and the fire raged.  I remember sitting glued to the TV, and at the time I didn't realize it, but I watched the second plane strike the second tower.  My mouth gaped open in horror.  I remember hearing the other frantic news saying that another plane had been flown into the Pentagon, and lastly, I remember the news of Flight 93 crashing into the field.  I remember having an almost out of body experience that these events were not real, but were a dream.  I remember the tears that fell down my face as I watched the Twin Towers falling in on themselves in New York, and realizing that people had still been inside as they fell.  The death count spiraled up as high as an estimate of 7,000 people gone suddenly and so violently.  My heart bleed for those people and for their families.  My heart was broken for the horrible tragedy that our nation had just suffered.  I remember crying as they played the national anthem on the radio.  I also remember watching the congressmen gathering on the front steps of the Capitol Building and signing our national anthem.  As I was driving home that evening after work, I remember seeing a man waving the American flag high over his head, and the tears and pride that washed over me at the sight.  I also remember the rainbow that I saw shining in the sky after a rain storm, as if God was crying for our torn nation.  As I saw that rainbow, I remember that a small shred of hope was ignited in my beaten heart.  That rainbow was God's promise that it would not happen again, and that we would overcome the terror.  

America Determined - 9/11/01

America Determined

Melissa Dallago

            On September 11, 2001, America was ripped from her slumber.  She rubbed her eyes groggily as she rose from her bed.  She looked around with amazement at the smoke and rubble of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

            A tear streamed down her face as she realized the casualties that had occurred.  She knelt and embraced those who suffered and felt fear.  She offered her eternal love and support for those who lost their lives and those who grieved.  She felt an outpouring of emotion for their sorrow and pain.  Her calm demeanor offered strength and determination in the rescue efforts to save the fallen.

            America had an outpouring of love for her countrymen, but an ember of anger had come alight.  As the smoke cleared, and the terror diminished, America looked around her seeking out the monsters that were behind this evil act.  The ember became a flame, burning ever brighter; that flame became an inferno burning hotter still, seeking justice for the wrong that had been done.  America was determined that whoever had done this would pay the price for murdering the innocent.  She was asleep no more and her memories came flooding back.

            Men paid the ultimate sacrifice during the pangs of her labor, and felt an immense pride as she was born.  America was a fledgling in the beginning, but she had a passion and spirit that rallied many to her cause.  Her fellow citizens supported her and raised her up.  As she took her first tentative steps, she became a bright flame that offered hope to the lost. 

            America reveled in her independence.  Her steps became more confident with each passing year and she held her head higher as she learned her purpose.  America grew older and more experienced and was a fledgling no more.  She soared with the eagles and relished in her might.

            America remembered her battles to protect freedom throughout the world.  She would forever embrace the men who gave their lives while fighting for her cause.  She remembered, with pride, her history of standing for the right in an often chaotic world.  All of these memories washed over her as she recalled her past, and the roads she had traveled on, to reach such lofty values of greatness, compassion, courage, love of country, and pride.  America came to represent true freedom and the wondrous goals that can be reached in such a society.

            The world around America had shifted, sides had changed, and her great cause was once again threatened.  Her ire of the wrongs done was deep.  She would find the villains and bring them to justice.  With calm determination, America took her position and called her citizens to her side.  Together they would fight the good fight and not cease until freedom was properly defended.

            The attack on America was unprovoked on that fateful day five years ago.  That day we rose as a nation to the challenges that were laid down before us.  We must remember where were on that day and reflect on what America signifies to the rest of the world

            As President Bush said to the speech before the Joint Session of Congress on September 20, 2001, “Americans have known surprise attacks, but never before on thousands of civilians.  All of this was brought upon us on a single day – and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack.”  (Bush, George W., Presidential address before Joint Session of Congress, 20 Sep. 2001).

            The war on terrorism began when Osama bin Laden attacked our country.  It continues to this day and will continue for the foreseeable future.  As Bush further stated, “… Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there.  It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated.  America should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen… and we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism… Freedom and fear are at war.  The advance of human freedom – the great achievement of our time now depends on us.  Our nation – this generation – we will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future.  We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage.  We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.”  (Bush, George W., Presidential address before Joint Session of Congress, 20 Sep. 2001).

            We have done amazing things in the past five years since the War on Terror began.  Freedom has been brought to portions of the Middle East that have never tasted it before.  The citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq now have freedom thanks to our efforts.  Our soldiers have sacrificed, but it was not needless or in vain.  The journey is far from over, but that first taste of freedom has laid the foundations for future generations to truly know what it means to live in peace and to experience freedom from fear of terrorists.

            While addressing the United States on November 11, 2001, President Bush said, “We have a chance to write the story of our times, a story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming darkness.  This calling is worth any life.”  (Tokipona, We will defend ourselves, 2001).

            We, as Americans, have a duty to ourselves, our neighbors and our country.  We must remember September 11, 2001.  We must remember how we felt; the sorrow and anger, as well as the love, compassion, and support for those around us.  In our darkest, most dire hours, we were proud to be Americans and demonstrated the selfless love and heroism that resides in each and every one of us and makes our country truly great.  We have an opportunity to be the greatest generation of our times.

 Now is the time to stand.  It is the time to believe in the greater good, and a time to fight for our county and the values it stands for.  As George Washington once said, “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”  (Benedetto, R.  Bush invokes spirit of George Washinton in plea on Iraq, 8 Jul. 2005).  At this five year anniversary, we must continue to be vigilant of the greatness that makes America determined to finish the tasks laid before us and continue to honor those who lost their lives on that fateful day.  We are Americans and, above all, we should embody and personify the values that make us the greatest country in the world.  We must never forget September 11, 2001.

Synergy

Synergy

- MJD

One is the rhythm

In comes the time

One is the harmony

Out comes the rhyme

One is the jazz,

Classical at heart

One is progressive,

And jumps at the start

Each is unique and

Uses its own beat

Together there is synergy

And the music is complete

Common Sense

Common Sense

By: Melissa Dallago

One would think that commons sense would, well, be common, in everyone. However, we are finding that it is not as common as we thought.

Look around and take stock of those around you. Many people that you run into are often on their own errands or wrapped up in their own thoughts. Some may give you a nod in acknowledgment, others may walk right past you without any recognition, and some may look at you angrily as if you have done something to offend them. Whatever their reaction, you can be pretty confident in thinking that these people are good individuals, who have a smart head on their shoulders, and that common sense is an everyday occurrence. This reflects the general population of our fellow citizens. There may be some anomalies here and there, but overall we are smart, savvy, a little selfish, but are mindful of others and would lend a hand to friends or a worthy cause. So it’s fair to say, that common sense reigns supreme in the general population. Now let’s look at our government and our elected officials.

I don’t know about you, but from my perspective these people live in a vacuum and common sense exited stage left a long time ago. Common sense is like Big Foot, rarely seen, and when spotted, it is from a great distance. Any photographic evidence of common sense is grainy and the experts will say it’s improbable that it actually exists.

These elected officials are allegedly the cream of the crop. We chose them to represent our interests in the larger arena of the government. However last I saw, they claim to be doing what’s best for us and our country, but in my opinion, they only have their interests, and not ours, on their agenda. The do not act with common sense or common decency.

They are nihilistic individuals who disregard our wishes for what we want for our country. They pat us on the head like little children and say “We know what’s best. We’re doing the job of making the hard decisions that you can’t or have no ability to do.” They patronize us, humor us, and tell us what they think we want to hear.

I’m sorry, but last I checked, “We the People” gave the government the right to act on our behalf, and “We the People” have the right to voice our opinions in what we think is right and just for our country. “We the People” elected them on their promises and coy words, and “We the People” have the power to elect them out of office. They are our elected officials. We are not their servants, they are ours.

So I demand that our elected officials listen to us, take our wishes into account, and answer our questions, even if they are above their pay grade. The government works for us, not us for the government. The common sense that each citizen practices every day of their lives is not present in the government. Well I demand that it needs to return, along with accountability. No more hiding, no more back pedaling, and no more molly coddling us like we’re children.

 We can take it. We know better than you the value of family, a day’s hard work, and the satisfaction in knowing we do what is hard every day for ourselves and our kin. The government doesn't know that.

We do not want or need a big brother in every boardroom or home telling us what is right or wrong. We don’t want or need every company and organization beholden to the government for money and handouts. We don’t want or need a big tentacled monster reaching into every single facet of our lives.

We want a small government that protects our God given rights. We want honest officials who mean what they say, and say what they mean. We want someone who will give it to us straight, without flowery words, so we can make the right decision. I don’t think this is too much to ask, do you? “We the People” are the ultimate decision makers. Most importantly, I demand a return of common sense to our government.

I will close with a quote from Lucretius, “It is more useful to watch a man in times of peril, and in adversity, to discern what kind of man he is, for then, at last, words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart, and the mask is torn off, reality remains.” Times are hard, show us what you’re made of!

Getting to Know Your Inner Victim - Melissa

Getting to Know Your Inner Victim – MJD

            “Victims aren’t we all,” is a very true statement as we are all a victim at some point in our lives.  A victim is defined as a person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action or agency.  Such destructive or injurious action can be something as traumatic as a car accident or illness, or something as simple as being jilted by a lover or taken advantage of in a financial scheme.  Yet, more often than not, the action of such destruction and injury is us.  We all have an inner victim residing in us.

            I know I have often played the part of a victim as if I was seeking an Emmy nomination for best actress.  I usually don my victim garb when an event occurs in my life, either big or small, and I let my emotions run wild.  My emotions soon take control and invade my thoughts at every waking moment and I become the consummate victim, a martyr even.  I wail about the real and perceived wrongs, I brow beat myself with horrendous and demeaning opinions of myself and basically treat myself like crap.  When I am in this state you can say the worst, meanest thing to me, and I will guarantee you that I have already thought it about myself and within the last half hour.  I do not relish the role of the victim, but it can be very hard to break out of the cycle. 

            I believe we have all performed such theatrics at some point in our lives.  It may be flat out depression, but I believe a part of us, albeit a small one, enjoys the drama and attention that can be fawned on us.  Who in their right mind wouldn’t enjoy such attention from friends and family?  It is not to say that one should not feel like a victim if a horrible event does occur, but the goal here is to avoid prolonging it for too long.  For I believe that the longer you extend the victim persona, you are doing greater damage to yourself and it takes that much longer to succeed in pulling yourself out of the self-created muck.

            My solution for breaking out of the cycle is to literally stop and stand still.  I no longer feed my inner demon, err, victim.  I begin to take steps away from that role and once again begin to actively participate in my life instead of letting it happen to me.  Granted it is hard, but I believe it is the best way to stop it.

            So during those unfortunate times when feeling like a victim is appropriate, indulge a little bit in the forbidden fruit as it is also a process of healing, but do not make it the starring role of your life.  You only go around once on this roller coaster called life; so you have to make the best of it no matter what life throws at you.  In closing, the best advice I can offer for living your life as a leading role, rather than a supporting one, is to think to yourself daily, “I’m just where I’m supposed to be right now as I am;” a little self love, instead of self-flagellation, never hurt anyone.  

Animals of the Feline Purrsuasion

by  Melissa 

Cats are mystical, almost unworldly animals.  They deign to allow us to share their homes and bask in their glory.  Those people who have been gifted by being chosen by a cat to be their human know that to have a relationship with a feline is to have a relationship with a being the can operate on another plane of existence.  Cats are unique creatures that confuse and confound the best of us.  They truly embody Winston Churchill’s great saying, “they are an enigma, wrapped inside a conundrum, inside a mystery.”

Cats can lounge for hours in what appears to be a comatose state, and the suddenly and without warning leap up and bolt away as if the hounds of hell were on their tails.  They will always win a staring contest.  They have mastered the ability to look at a being with absolute impunity and leave them feeling lesser.  Cats play with utter abandon and joy with a box, bag, or some other human refuse.  We spend large sums of money buying cat toys to entertain our felines, and approach them with these gifts as if we are bringing tributes to a god.  Yet, no matter the sums spent, a cat will usually prefer the toys wrapper and thoroughly ignore its contents.  Cats can hunt non-existent entities for hours on end.  They chatter non-stop at the birds and squirrels that visit outside their windows.  Most impressively, they are capable of outdoing Superman by leaping over objects in a single bound, zooming through the house at near lightning speed, and dodging human’s hands that try to catch them with the greatest of ease.  In short, they are capable of amazing feats and no matter how many cats you’ve owned, you are often left in awe of just what these furry felines are capable of.  These attributes aside, a cat’s greatest ability is their emotional sensitivity to the humans around them. 

Cats know instinctually whether their human is sad, angry, bursting with happiness, or just simply pondering the meaning of life, and are able to articulate their own mood and actions around their human’s need; whether it be a nudge of support, a playful kitten-like show, or just simply the comforting sound of their purring next to them.  Somehow these beautiful creatures know what is needed before their human even arrives in their presence.  It is as if somehow our cats are tied to us spiritually, emotionally and psychically, even when we are not in the same location with them.  I know that my two frisky felines have surprised me many times over with their ability to just know. 

The emotional bond between a cat and its human is a thing of beauty.  Any pet, but in my opinions, cats particularly represent the highest ideals of unconditional love and the good that it can create it the world.  Cats have the uncanny ability to worm their way into our hearts and souls and become an indelible part in the fabric of our lives. 

No matter your view on felines, there are those creatures that stand out and draw attention to the greatness of their kind.  Aside from my two felines, whom I love dearly, deeply and fiercely, I have to admit that reading Gwen Cooper’s story Homer's Odyssey about her little boy Homer made me take pause.  The fact that this blind cat has not let his disability stop him from living his life to its fullest, to explore fearlessly, and even protect his human from a burglar in the dead of the night is a tribute to the greatness, unconditional love, and inherent joy that can be found in all cats that live on this earth.  If those traits can reside unabashedly in a small, fearless feline, and inspire his human to see her own life differently and teach her about the greatness of a life well lived no matter the challenges, than Homer should serve as an inspiration to all of us.  I know that my two companions, Padauan and LB, have inspired me, brought me hours of laughter, joy and comfort throughout our seven years together, just as Homer, a cat I have only known through someone else’s words has also inspired me.  My girls, and also Homer, have given me the courage to see my own odyssey through new, clearer eyes, though while my eyes may not glimmer with the depth of a cat’s, they hopefully mirror some small fragment of their joy, unconditional love and spirit.