Standing at the kitchen window this afternoon, enjoying the warmth of the sun as it set behind the Bryce Jordan Center (go Nittany Lions!) I spotted my youngest daughter, armed with a stick bigger than herself, glaring at one of our cats. You need to know that our cats are prolific hunters. Since the snow melted away, we’ve been the grateful(?) beneficiaries of their hunting prowess. Hardly a morning passes that we don’t find some remnant of the night’s hunt on the front porch, perhaps as an offering to the head of the house, much like the Israelites brought their firstfruits to the Levites…and we do have a son named Levi, so I guess it’s only fitting…
It turned out that Sadie had interrupted our cat (Sunny) in mid-hunt. She spied the orange ruffian as he tried to get at something under a storage shed, so she went to check things out. Sunny had cornered a chipmunk, and was attempting to convince mr. chipmunk to come out and play/meet his fate. Sadie shooed the cat away, and the chippie made a mad dash for cover, only to be chased up a tree. I was not aware that chipmunks could climb trees, but there he sat, looking a little defeated, with Sunny the Terminator patiently staring at his, um, dinner companion.
I debated giving Sadie the talk about the Circle of Life, and how all living things must eventually come to terms with their own mortality. Instead, I chose to encourage her in her effort, then retired back to my window to see how things worked out. Sadie spoke to the cat (did I mention that Sadie’s part cat-whisperer?), and Sunny promptly moved off in search of other sport. Sadie came bouncing into the kitchen to report that mr. chippie had survived and made his way over toward our neighbor’s yard.
I love the fact that my kids have sensitive hearts, and that they care about other living things. I loved watching Sadie take action on behalf of something that she believed in, something that she felt passionate about. I am certain that there’s a lesson for me and my family in that. We may have to explore that a little more in the days to come.
When we love (God, family, neighbors), that love must translate into action. It’s not enough simply to claim to love. In the immortal words of Toby, Michael, and K-Max, Luv is a verb. (Yep, I watched the whole thing.)
Now I have to remember to get up early and check the front porch for mr. chippie.
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