Prayers for reunions

Holding our breath, catching our breath

I think I have a lot of company in feeling like I am holding my breath, waiting to see if the hostages actually come home. My friend Ari in Jerusalem wrote, “We are just praying.” I am praying too, and have been praying for a long time.

One of the most moving things I’ve ever seen was the moment former hostage Emily Damari walked into the room to meet her family, wrapped in an Israeli flag. She is such an example of strength and solidarity in adversity. I plan to watch her become a great leader, in Israel and the world. At times when I was afraid of various things since she was released on January 19, I thought of her and her strength gave me strength.

Soon the few who are left may be home. Like all of you, I suspect, I am afraid of a last minute terrible surprise. But I’m cautiously optimistic.

Closer to home, one of my favorite Substack authors whom I’ve been able to meet online, Josh Slocum, was reunited with his sweet and beautiful tabby cat, Mina. She had gotten out in rural Vermont where they live and was missing for almost three days. After reading that she was missing, I cried on a break at work and prayed for her to come home. So many of us were praying for her safe return, and this morning early she walked into the house! He had left the door open so she could return and she did, meeting him in time for breakfast.

I woke up sad and a little sluggish, with many issues weighing on my mind. The news that Mina was reunited with Josh and her kitty best friend Shredder cheered me up entirely. While I don’t believe in prayer as something like a quarter that you pop into a machine and get out a gumball, I do believe in the power of people joining their psychic energy to support someone, whether that someone is human or fluffy.

Sometimes all we can do is pray. Sometimes all we should do is pray.

Some time ago I couldn’t find my Loviefluffy. I was of course in terror, as she never hides or goes out, and I know the places where she goes when she needs some privacy.

Finally I located her. She was hanging out with her stuffed black cat friends on the bed, and with her eyes closed and curled up asleep, I mistook her for one of the stuffed animals. Hiding in plain sight, she had me scared to death.

I love being with my sweet kitty, who prays with me every morning and every night. We pray for Israel, for our worldwide family, for all of you, for the kitties out there who are lost or still need their own humans.

Big, internationally televised reunions and small ones over Fancy Feast. Praying that you will break bread (or eat cat food) with the ones you love.

Can you find the real cat?