This weekend after 12 weeks and many more before that hoping and sleuthing to find a kitten, my family welcomed in our first furry pet. Prior to that we had the unfortunate event of a coy fish swimming up a tube in Finding Nemo-style the first month we got it, and a replacement who paled in comparison to its fiery predecessor. After months of searching and incanting every good spirit to find a therapy cat for my son, a name was passed, a call was made and as if by magic, a contract was signed in 11 parts trust and 1 part nervousness that it could all fall apart with thisperson that we had never met.
We were pleasantly surprised as the breeder updated us frequently and provided weekly updates that woke and wove a tapestry in our mind of who he was and what his relationship with his charges were. It became abundantly clear that the leap of faith we took was indeed a humongous win. As the weeks became days, and the days became hours, we chased our son’s excitement with a bit of pause as we reminded him that to build trust with this little being, patience was required and that instead of being grabby and trying to force connection like Elmyra from Tiny Toons (whoa, I just dated myself there), that he might try a more hands off approach.
When we brought Lil’ P home, she was scared. She was a little girl in a new and overwhelmingly large place. We gently opened her carrier and let her emerge when she was ready. Big K (my son), was almost tortured by the process of waiting. (I mean heck, that’s a difficult thing in general much less for an eight year old!). As he went to bed that night he forlornly shared how sad and disappointed he was that Lil’ P was scared and not bonding with him.
Cue heart cracking into a million pieces.
As I sang one last song to him, I reminded him that we cannot rush things like love and connection and that it can sometimes be a crazy mix of confusion, heartbreak, and frustration along with joy and fulfillment. The very next morning as we were holding space with Lil’ P, she began mewing and with sweetness, Big K’ inched her way and gave her his finger to sniff as well as a soft pat. Over the next hours, the ice began to melt, play ensued and a bond began to shape.
It was breathtaking.
Our yoga practices, the past couple of years, and certainly this past month as we’ve reopened our doors have been much the same as this past weekend’s events. Regardless of age or familiarity, relationships and connection take time and they are all a dance with daily improvisations and changes. Sometimes they can be vexing, like when your body becomes injured and you are made to listen in a different way to respond in the manner of utmost kindness and respect. Sometimes, connection can be frustrating, like when life changes and we have to identify what frequency we tune into next to keep hearing one another. Sometimes, they can be heartbreaking like when life dictates an unwelcome pause. But, past all ideas of Halllmark-y love (like those that we’ll witness in the next week as we float on the internet or peruse the card aisle), there is something much stronger than a diamond, and that is unconditional love with a whole lot of patience. As the gloom of this time of year sets around us, be encouraged at what burns within us- the eternal fire of knowing that with patience, wherever our bodies, minds and hearts are, -that those pathways and connections will flower and bloom again with nourishment and patience.
We encourage you to get own your mat with us to find community as we forge on together to keep the pathways lit. We have a host of wonderful classes and beautiful workshops and series for you to explore and emerge with.
Brighter days lay right before us. Brighter ways lay right within us.
With Peace, Love, and Understanding-
Sharon and Your TYC Tribe