Cats, Bad Weather, and Signs from Heaven
I’ve always believed, if we are open to it, that we can receive signs and symbols from Heaven. Little nudges to remind us that we’re not alone, and that everything is ok. In both the Old and New Testaments, God and Jesus use signs and symbols to teach and guide us.
All throughout my life, I can look back and point out when I’ve noticed these assurances, little things that would only make sense to me. Like, finding a penny while walking into a big job interview, or seeing a red cardinal on my windowsill. It is something that is supported by my faith – that the Lord can send us signs from Heaven to let us know we are on track.
Asking for a Sign
My maternal grandmother, who I called “Mimi,” passed away in September 2022. We were extremely close, especially in my childhood. We had a lot of things in common – a love for entertaining, big imaginations, and a love for all of God’s creatures, especially cats. Shortly after her passing, my dad was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Thus began the fight for his life, and a time when we needed wisdom and guidance, I needed it from my Mimi more than ever.
During my dad’s diagnosis and treatment, I asked for a sign from her, and from God, that everything would be ok. Every now and then I’d notice a flickering light or a penny on the ground, but nothing that truly stuck out as “yep, that’s definitely from her.” It wouldn’t be too long before my sign from her would make itself – or rather “himself” known.
The Story of the Bonus Cat (H.C.)
In the days following Mimi’s funeral, we started to notice this cat hanging out in our cul-de-sac. He had a particular affinity for Madison. Every day, as soon as our car pulled into the driveway after school, that cat came running. Madison would yell, “Kitty?!”and there he would be, waiting for her. I have dozens of videos on my phone of the two of them – the cat running between her legs and her just giggling with glee. I had never in my life seen a cat who was so interested in such a little child. Most cats are quite skittish of kids – especially those very much in the “squealing” years. But here, Madison was not yet two years old, and this cat just adored her. I figured he had to belong to someone with little kids.
On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hits the state of Florida as a Category 4 storm. We were prepped and ready for anything, but that morning we were already losing our minds in toddler-land. Because the worst of the storm wasn’t set to hit us until that night, we strapped on our rain jackets and went out to get some wiggles out during a break in the rain.
As we walked the cul-de-sac, Madison called “Kitty?!” I said, “Baby, Kitty is probably inside somewhere.” But sure enough, here comes Kitty, braving the wind and the rain to see his friend. I literally could not believe it.
Back inside my house, I’m contemplating what to do. I can’t in good conscious leave this cat outside in a hurricane – but he isn’t mine to take. By now, the wind was picking up, the rain was sideways, and the cat is sitting on my doorstep. I made an executive decision to just bring him inside and ask for forgiveness later.
Much to our house cat, Willow’s distaste and Madison’s joy, Kitty rode out the storm with us. We set him up in a spot in our guest bathroom and he was just as happy as could be. He slept soundly through the wind, rain, and falling branches all night long.
The next morning, we once again strapped on our rain jackets and walked Kitty over to the neighbors. As his owner took him back from us, Madison was just heartbroken. It was so hard for my mama heart, but I did my best to explain to her that he did not belong to us.
That evening, we went on our last walk of the day to return some books to our little neighborhood library. Some folks were still cleaning up their yards, and the cats’ owner, our neighbor, was out raking leaves in his yard. As we passed by, the cat darted out and made a beeline for Madison. He rolled over and showed his belly to her and she squealed with delight. The cat’s owner stopped us and said, “If y’all want the kitty, he’s hers. My wife doesn’t like cats, and I think he wants to be with her anyway.” I asked him when they found him, and he said, “A few weeks ago – he was just sitting by the stop sign at the end of the cul-de-sac.”
The cat had been found on the day of Mimi’s funeral – September 8, 2022.
Isaiah 7:11 (NIV) says “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Is it possible this persistent pal is a sign from the Lord that I am not alone? Left at the stop sign at the end of our cul-de-sac for us to find? One thing I know for sure is true: there is one happy kid, and one happy cat in our home today.
