Prayer, and a Bowl of Fruit Salad (Plus Two Cutie Cats)

 

Every day is a gift. Sometimes it comes wrapped in glittering ribbons of joy, and other times it’s tucked inside the crinkled paper of challenges. Either way, it’s a blessing. Today, my blessing came with a throbbing headache, a bowl of fruit salad, two adorable cats, and a little divine intervention.

This morning, I woke up with a set intention: to be a positive influence and to keep smiling, no matter what. My plant, happily thriving on my windowsill, gave me its usual leafy grin, setting the tone for my day. Plants are funny little cheerleaders, aren’t they? They ask for so little but give so much. “Water me,” they say, “and I’ll oxygenate your space, brighten your room, and occasionally give you reasons to monologue about photosynthesis.”

But my day quickly detoured into the less glamorous territory of throbbing temples. Yes, the headache made its grand entrance, but guess what? Life doesn’t hit pause because you’re unwell, especially when you’re short-staffed at work. So, I showed up.

I won’t lie if you saw me, you wouldn’t  know I was in the trenches. My face probably had the same energy as a cat caught in it sweet food. But I was there, doing what needed to be done. And for that, I am grateful. Grateful that I have the strength to show up for myself, even when my body feels like it’s auditioning for a soap opera scene.

Now, let’s address the headache itself. I wasn’t about to let it boss me around, so I marched to the pharmacy near my workplace to check my blood pressure. The pharmacist, bless her, announced with a smile, “100 over 80. Perfectly normal.” A sigh of relief escaped me, and I thought, Well, at least my BP isn’t joining the rebellion.

Here’s where the story gets unexpectedly adorable. As I was leaving the pharmacy, I spotted a pet cat lounging in the arcade, owned by a veterinary doctor. Naturally, I stopped to say hi. Who could resist a fluffy, whiskered bundle of cuteness? Not me, apparently.

The cat must have sensed my need for some feline therapy because it got attached to me immediately. We played for a while, and let me tell you, those few minutes with that cutie cutie completely uplifted my energy. There’s something magical about the way animals connect with us they remind us of the simple joys in life.

The encounter left me with a lingering smile and a reminder: it’s time to get my own cat. Yes, this adorable encounter has officially reignited my cat-mom aspirations. As I stood there, another passerby asked, “Hey, are you a cat mom?” I laughed and replied, “No, not yet. But I think I’m somewhere in between. Any cat I see seems to like me, and I like them too!”

Fast forward to evening. After breaking my fast (a delicious moment that involved dates and some much-needed hydration), the headache decided to stick around. Persistent little thing. But I’m grateful that I can feel it. Yes, you heard me right. Feeling means living. It means I’m here, alive, navigating this wonderful, chaotic human experience.

Now, let’s talk about self-care. While I’m all for soldiering on, I’m also a firm believer in taking care of myself. So, I listened to my body and made a pit stop for some fruit salad because nothing says I love you, body like a colourful mix of nature’s best. That bowl of fruit was a hug in edible form.

Then, the universe sent a friend my way a sweet phone call just to check in on me. That call reminded me of one of life’s greatest truths: having people who care for you is a treasure. If you’re reading this, don’t forget to be that treasure for someone else.

The real plot twist, however, happened when I got home. There was no electricity. In my part of the world, power outages are as common as surprise plot twists in a soap opera. But I didn’t despair. Instead, I prayed, “Ya Rabb, let the electricity return, at least long enough for me to fetch some water.”

And guess what? The light came back. I fetched my water, smiled to the heavens, and thanked the Almighty for answering my prayer. The electricity went off again shortly after, but by then, I had what I needed. Talk about perfect timing!

Today reminded me of an important lesson: gratitude isn’t about having a perfect life. It’s about finding joy in the little things the steady rhythm of your heartbeat, the smile of a friend, the taste of fruit salad, and yes, even the warmth of two cutie cats.

It’s also about showing up for yourself. I could have stayed home, wallowing in the discomfort of my headache, but I didn’t. I went to work, got my BP checked, broke my fast, played with a cat, and still made space for gratitude.

So, here’s my takeaway for you, dear reader:

1. Find the humour in your challenges. Life doesn’t always come with a laugh track, but you can create your own. Even a headache can be a story worth telling.

2. Take care of yourself. Show up, but don’t forget to check in with yourself. Whether it’s a trip to the pharmacy or a bowl of fruit salad, little acts of self-care go a long way.

3. Pray and believe. There’s something beautiful about asking for help, whether from God, a friend, or yourself. And when your prayers are answered, even in small ways, cherish those moments.

4. Appreciate the furry moments. Cats or any pet, really have a way of reminding us to slow down, play, and enjoy life. If you’ve been debating getting a pet, consider this your sign.

As I wrap up this post, my headache is still lingering, but so is my gratitude. Because even in discomfort, there is so much to be thankful for. Thank You, Ya Rabb, for showing up for me, even in the little things.

Here’s to headaches that teach resilience, fruit salads that nourish the soul, and prayers that remind us we’re never alone. And of course, here’s to two cutie cats that put a smile on my face and reminded me of the joy of connection.

Now, go water your plants and say hi to a cat. They’re rooting for you too!

Until next time,

Gratefully yours,

GratitudeBeeba