I was really touched by this story from life coach Cheryl Richardson’s newsletter today. I just had to share.

“I lost both my beloved kitties a year ago to renal failure.  From following your weekly stories, I know you love your little one as much as I loved mine.

This week I decided I would start slowly picking up cat supplies for my new kitties “to be”.  You see, although I absolutely adore the companionship of cats, I had been stalling, as the pain of losing “my boys” was still very much with me.

I just happened to be coming from a medical appointment in a part of town I’m rarely in and saw a small pet shop.  As I walked in, I noticed a cage with a couple cats in it but I went to the back of the store looking for litter pans.  When I came back to the front, one of the sales people was struggling – she was trying to clean the cage while holding a kitty.  I quickly offered to hold the kitty for her.  Well, this little tabby melted into my arms…. he purred right away, he nuzzled, he just seemed to “fit.” I held him for about 10 minutes and when I put him back in his cage, he actually leapt from his cage onto my shoulder.  Yes, this was a sign!  And he had a brother…. and I wanted two boys.

But, there is a bit more to this story.  I was still hesitant as these boys were 6 month-old rescue kitties and I wanted babies.

The next morning I met with my financial advisor who I hadn’t seen for a while.  I was telling her that I wanted to get a full-time or “real” job, as I was tired of the ups and downs of working as an independent.  But, I was encountering “ageism.”  Despite my exceptional qualifications, employers seemed to want someone younger.  As I was driving away from the meeting, I suddenly realized what just happened.  I connected the dots.

I drove straight to the pet store to pick up my 6 month-old little boys.  They are here now – safe, secure, loved, and (unfortunately), climbing my curtains.”

And Cheryl commented:  Mary’s story is a beautiful lesson in being willing to give what we most hope to get.