Marsie's Monday Motivation Or Living Though You Know You're Dying

Living Happy

This is Marsie, the cat. She has cancer. She will probably not make it to the end of the year.

That’s the bad news—the very bad news.

But the good news is that she’s still living right now, all day, every day. She’s schooling the other cats on how to be a proud feline, how to jump on the counter when no one is looking, how to corner a mouse and gently pat its side instead of—you know—kill it, and most importantly how to snuggle with dogs.

Marsie: It’s Monday.

Me: Yes.

Marsie: 

Me: 

Marsie: Aren’t you going to whine about it?

Me: No.

Marsie: 

Me: Aren’t you going to ask why I’m not going to whine about it?

Marsie: I’m a cat. I stopped caring. I’ll care about it in like—32 hours or if you bring out some cat nip or kitty snacks. Then I’ll be your best friend again for like … hm … 45 seconds.

Me: 

Marsie: Just giving you the truth, human. I’m all about the hard truths.

Me: I’m happy because you are alive today and I am too, and I’m happy because I like the fact that you and Sparty the Dog used to kiss each other and snuggle before he . . . you know . . .

Marsie: Died?

Me:

Marsie: He was often very warm. That’s one of the best things about dogs, the body temperature.

Me: 

Marsie: Fine, I loved him.

Me: That’s why I’m okay this Monday. Even though things can suck and people can suck, there are these tiny little glimmers of hope that we might learn a thing or two from other people or from cats and dogs about love.

Marsie:

Me: What I’m trying to say is you inspire me, Marsie, because despite all your tough talk and kitty glares and cat face, you’re really just about the love.

Marsie: Human! Don’t tell! The other cats will mock me!

Me: Sorry, baby, they already know. Sometimes, they just choose not to remember.

Marsie: But you’ll remember me, right? You’ll remember me and my most important lesson.

Me: That you need to love when you can.

Marsie: No. That you need to love even when you think you can’t. Love it all. Mondays. Dogs. Cat nip that’s lost its nip. Your humans. All of it. Right now. Before it’s too late.