Erica's Story
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| Erica |
As we came down our road one night in the spring of 2007, a little creature hopped across the road. I thought it was a rabbit and was pretty amazed, as we had never had rabbits on or around our five acres before.
It was several more days before I saw the tiny cat in our back field and realized it was the hopping creature I had seen. For many days I saw the little cat but could not get close to her. She was wearing a collar so I wasn’t too concerned. After several weeks I started to become a bit worried because she was always on the property following me around at a distance.
Finally I decided to put out some food to see if she was hungry. Of course hubby was screeching and jumping about saying, "if you feed her she'll never go away."
"Hmmmmmmmm, hon. She's been here for weeks without being fed and hasn't left so what do you want me to do?"
I put out some food and she couldn't get it down fast enough. After many more days I was finally able to pet her and was shocked to discover she was a skeleton wearing a fur coat. The first time hubby petted her he changed his tune and was very glad we had given her food. I didn't think an animal could be that thin and still be moving about.
As the weather became colder, she was given a bed in the barn. Soon the bed was put in a large computer box. As the temperature dropped even more the box was wrapped in insulation, and shortly thereafter, my own heating pad made its way into the bed. By now she had a name; Erica.
Every day Erica sat by our back door and gazed into the house already populated with two dogs and another cat. Her face said it all, “I want to be part of this family.” One night the temperature was to drop very low and yes (you can hear it coming), Erica was allowed to sleep in my office. And that was that! She became an official member of the family on that evening.
Probably due to her early months, Erica remains a tiny little girl, barely weighing 6 lbs. Even the vet marvels at how delicate and tiny she is, while still being extremely healthy. Our pastor, who lives next door, calls her "petite."
I’ve thought often of the faith that little scraggly cat, who grew into a beauty, demonstrated. She knew in her little animal “soul” that she would have what she desired. She was always calm and quiet as she watched through that door. Her persistence and patience paid off.
Erica taught me about patience, persistence, and most importantly, about the power of faith. How would our lives change if had just a little bit of what Erica had? Be vigilant for you never know who or what is going to teach you a lesson.
It was several more days before I saw the tiny cat in our back field and realized it was the hopping creature I had seen. For many days I saw the little cat but could not get close to her. She was wearing a collar so I wasn’t too concerned. After several weeks I started to become a bit worried because she was always on the property following me around at a distance.
Finally I decided to put out some food to see if she was hungry. Of course hubby was screeching and jumping about saying, "if you feed her she'll never go away."
"Hmmmmmmmm, hon. She's been here for weeks without being fed and hasn't left so what do you want me to do?"
I put out some food and she couldn't get it down fast enough. After many more days I was finally able to pet her and was shocked to discover she was a skeleton wearing a fur coat. The first time hubby petted her he changed his tune and was very glad we had given her food. I didn't think an animal could be that thin and still be moving about.
As the weather became colder, she was given a bed in the barn. Soon the bed was put in a large computer box. As the temperature dropped even more the box was wrapped in insulation, and shortly thereafter, my own heating pad made its way into the bed. By now she had a name; Erica.
Every day Erica sat by our back door and gazed into the house already populated with two dogs and another cat. Her face said it all, “I want to be part of this family.” One night the temperature was to drop very low and yes (you can hear it coming), Erica was allowed to sleep in my office. And that was that! She became an official member of the family on that evening.
Probably due to her early months, Erica remains a tiny little girl, barely weighing 6 lbs. Even the vet marvels at how delicate and tiny she is, while still being extremely healthy. Our pastor, who lives next door, calls her "petite."
I’ve thought often of the faith that little scraggly cat, who grew into a beauty, demonstrated. She knew in her little animal “soul” that she would have what she desired. She was always calm and quiet as she watched through that door. Her persistence and patience paid off.
Erica taught me about patience, persistence, and most importantly, about the power of faith. How would our lives change if had just a little bit of what Erica had? Be vigilant for you never know who or what is going to teach you a lesson.
P.S. Erica is named after the Phantom of the Opera, Erik, to whom she bears a striking resemblance.
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| Erica with her "friends" |
