Noah and the Cats

As I look at this big, black furry cat stretched out in our living room, I’m reminded of other cats from my past.

“Can we have them, Mom, they are SO cute?” The pleading continued and, of course, the two daughters won.

“Yes, I guess so if you promise to feed them and look after them. And, I don’t want them on your beds, understand? You know how badly cats shed.”

They were so excited to bring home those two little white furry kittens; one Persian and one shorthair.

“I’m naming mine Baby,” said Older Daughter.

“Well, I’m calling this one Bitsy,” replied Younger Daughter.

Of course, the “no cat on your bed” rule was soon broken and each morning I could expect to find both kittens in bed with their respective owners.

Baby and Bitsy ruled our household for eighteen years. Both girls were married and had homes of their own but those beautiful white cats were still in charge at our home. Of course, rather than sleeping in the bedrooms of their owners, they could be found in our big bed each morning either curled around my head or under the covers at the foot of the bed. They passed within six months of each other and our whole family was devastated.

“We’re not getting another cat, “my husband said when I would mention how I missed Baby and Bitsy. “It’s too hard to give them up” was what he might as well have said. So, we didn’t have another cat for over twenty years. Then Ms. Kitty, as black as Baby and Bitsy were white, adopted us in spite of all we could do.

“I don’t want that cat in the bedroom and certainly not sleeping on our bed”, were my famous last words.

Today, Ms. Kitty owns us. She follows my husband around just like a dog would follow him. She meows her commands and he follows them. And, where does she sleep? On the foot of our bed or more likely lying beside me making her funny little dreaming noises.

When Noah built the ark at God’s command and sent all the animals in two by two, I feel sure there were two cats leading them all; one black and one white.

“You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Genesis 6: 19-22 NIV