My older daughter pushed the nursing home elevator button while gripping the cat carrier with her opposite hand. Inside was the cat she picked from a litter of foster kittens and said, “I am supposed to have this one, Mom. I just know it.”
“But I promised your dad we wouldn’t ask to adopt any of the kittens we fostered,” I reminded.
Six weeks later, after writing the most persuasive letter of her life to her father (tearstained, no less), Paisley was ours.
Over the past seven months, we’ve grown to love this non-cuddly, leash walking, annoyingly talkative cat who willingly puts himself in awkward positions like too-small containers and sixty foot trees (window screens have since been nailed down since that daring escape).
But on this particular day, Paisley’s 13-year-old owner would put herself in an awkward position knowing Paisley was made for this particular role: To bring cheer to nursing home residents.
Unlike her little sister, Natalie is shy with strangers and has declined many invitations to visit the retirement home – until this day. When she heard they allow pets to visit the residents, she said, “Paisley was made for this. I want to take him.”
Avery led the way to her friend Annie’s floor. We saw precious Annie right away. She was slumped over in her wheelchair. When we greeted her, she smiled slightly but then nodded back off to sleep. We proceeded to take Paisley down the hall, stopping to let residents pet him if they wished. He didn’t mind being called a Cocker Spaniel by the lady in red or having his paws clamped together for several minutes while the cat-loving senior told him her woes.
But the real magic happened when we neared the end of the hallway. Thinking we’d visited everyone on the third floor, we were about to leave.
“Is that a Maine Coon?” a woman confined to a hospital bed summoned us by asking.
We went into her room and chatted a little about cats, but mostly about her poor health which kept her hospitalized longer than she planned. As we said our goodbyes, a voice called out from behind the privacy curtain. We peered around to find a lovely woman with short curly hair with the biggest smile on her face.
“Oh my!” she cried. “I was up all night praying I would not be forgotten. I asked the Lord to send me someone with heart. And look at who He sent! Just look at who He sent!”
I honestly never knew someone we’d never met could be so happy to see us. My eyes instantly filled with tears.
Natalie, who up until that point had been quite protective of her cat, scooped Paisley from my arms and laid him right beside the woman in the bed. And our very active young cat, who is the farthest thing from a lap cat, curled right up next to this stranger and fell fast asleep! I could not believe my eyes.
“He knows LOVE,” the woman explained. “This cat is my little lamb sent to me because the Lord knew my load was heavy,” she said tearfully. And then she burst into a song of praise.
For the next thirty minutes, we stayed with “Mama J” while Paisley slept soundly beside her. Because out of all the residents in this large nursing home and out of all the places we could have been on a Saturday afternoon, it was quite clear she was the one we unknowingly came to see.
On our way out, we made a point to stop at Annie’s wheelchair. I bent down and reintroduced ourselves. But she did not recognize us and kept agitatedly repeating, “What?”
Suddenly she hung her head and began to sob. The other residents and nurses kept about their business as though this was not unusual for Annie now. Knowing we could never leave her like this, Avery bent down, drew close to Annie’s face, and began singing Annie’s favorite song:
“Wise men say, only fools rush in,
But I can’t stop falling in love with you.”
Annie immediately stopped crying. A peacefulness settled upon her face. Avery smiled and continued softly.
“Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes,
Some things are meant to be.
Take my hand,
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you.”
Annie didn’t know us that day, but she knew love …
Just like Paisley knew Mama J needed his comfort …
Just like Natalie knew Paisley needed us and needed to visit the elderly.
Who would have thought a little rescue cat would have such an important message to deliver the world?
To listen when love summons
To act in atypical and courageous ways when love calls
To go where it smells unpleasant and the future looks bleak
To remember where the lonely and forgotten reside
To bring love where it is desperately needed
To speak love when words fail
To try love when we’ve run out of options
To set aside fears, worries, agenda, and distractions and just show up.
Because whether we signed up for it or not,
Because whether we are prepared for it or not,
Because whether we feel like it or not,
We are love.
And we just never know when someone we never met is waiting on us to arrive.
No wait.
Perhaps we do know.
What if we listen to love’s summons today?
What if we act in atypical and courageous ways when we are called?
We might just hear the unmistakable sound of hope—the uplifting sound a heart makes when a prayer has been answered.
It will bring cleansing tears to our eyes and make our complicated lives suddenly very simple.
We are love.
And that is all we need to know.
Update December 2020: Paisley is four years old now and if you follow my Facebook page or Instagram account, you know he's been having some health issues. I took him back to the vet today, and the doctor called me as I sat in the car. She said, “I am sorry he had to come back to see me, but I will say, he's the most social, well behaved little cat!” I felt grateful for this loving vet and for the cat shelter which cares for cats like Paisley so they can find their forever homes. In honor of Giving Tuesday, would you consider a small donation to All About Cats, the beloved shelter that brought us Paisley and cares for many unwanted and abandoned animals? And if music therapy holds a special place in your heart, the nursing home where Avery got her start as a music therapist with Mr. John is welcoming any and all donations for their Songs for Seniors program. Thank you for your generous and loving hearts! I love you!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story of love and hope. The world needs so much more of this and you and your family are a bright light leading the way.
Thank you, dear Rachel, for taking the time to read and leave such a loving comment. I appreciate you so very much.
Beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing this today.
Thank you for being here, Tina. Love to you, dear.
Thank you for sharing this powerful experience. The openness you and your daughters show to others is inspiring! Too often we are afraid to listen to the voice of love. We ignore the gut response we have even if we just know we need to do something but aren’t sure why. Thank you for modeling the importance of listening to our souls’ sensitivity to the needs around us.
Having never left a comment before on your beautiful blog, after a couple of years of reading your amazing words, I just had to let you know what a gift I think you are to this world. You reveal so much wisdom and love in every post that my heart breaks and swells all at the same time. Tears are always the norm when I visit here, both happy and sad, but always touching my heart in profound ways. So on this day of love, a “Big Happy Valentine’s Day” to you for always speaking to our hearts, and to your family for sharing you with us all. You are one wise woman, and I adore every syllable you write…. and if you haven’t heard this lately, you ROCK, sweet Rachel, and from a mommy of another adorable Maine Coon, give Paisley a scratch under his sweet chin for all the love and joy he brings. He also made my heart smile so hard today!
Jules
Well, this is just the most precious gift to hear from you today, Jules! Thank you for your quiet support and faithful presence. It means more than you will ever know!!!
Such a wonderful story. You’re giving me ideas for my pets! You brought such joy to these vulnerable people. So beautiful.
Lovely. Thank you, you are truly spreading love.
What a fantastic story! My Mother was in a nursing home for a few years and we would bring our dog to visit. Everyone loved seeing and petting him. It made their day! You are truly a special person for this act of kindness. Humanity thanks you and I do too!
Rachel, I love the way you seem to run to the hurting, instead of running away, which so many can do so easily. Thank you for this beautiful story of love meeting loneliness, hope meeting need, young meeting old. Thankful for the blessing that you are, and the gift your stories give 🙂 Hugs and blessings, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
What a beautiful experience and how beautifully you have depicted it.
Your words flow with such ease, seemingly how love flows from each member of your family.
May I purchase your poem as a poster?
Also, something has been weighing on my mind to tell you since the day you shared your previous post. First, thank you for that also: “Even when there is bad, there is still good.” I could similarly tell my early-20s self this. But what I wanted to say is that you provide rest for SO many of us. I hope you receive that rest also. I would like to send you a copy of a book written by a coach of mine, Kaya Jongen.
Hi Aarti, you are so kind. Thank you for noticing the ease and flow of the words. I spend a lot of time carefully choosing my words and editing … so it feels very affirming to have someone notice! Thank you for that. And I so appreciate how you see my words and stories provide rest. I would love to receive your gift. Just send me an email and we can make arrangements. It’s rachelstafford@handsfreemama.com. With love and thanks, RMS
I would love to purchase one of your shirts… I am a little confused on the sizing measurements… are the chest measurements around (like when measuring for bra size) or seam-to seam across the chest? 22 inches (for a large) seems rather small to be fully around, but past online ordering experiences have taught me its just better to ask the question and be sure. Thanks so much!
Hi Stephanie – my sister in law will help you! Please email her at stacie@handsfreemama.com. Thanks!
Rachael,
Thank you so much for your love-filled message on your trip to the nursing home with Paisley & your daughters.
My mom is currently in an assisted living facility suffering with dementia.
My only hope is someone like you & your daughters show her love only for today. Your words of loving kindness made tears flow thinking of her. We are 2 states away from each other, but my sister is with her.
Thank you again for your gentle way with words.
May you find love only for today. Peace to you & your girls.
Hi Rachel, I’m actually not a true cat lover, (I ADORE DOGS) but I can definitely appreciate how both cats and dogs seem to sometimes know just how to love those who need them most. Someday I want to have a nursing home ministry, when my kids are a bit older. I would love to emulate you and your daughters example. My heart goes out to all those who are forgotten behind hospital walls. Speaking of cats, and cat lovers, here is a cute trailer- https://trailers.apple.com/trailers/oscilloscope/kedi/
Love to you and your family, Blessings, -Melanie
Will the Only Love Today shirts ever come back, in the future?
Yes, they sure will! Email my sister-in-law Stacie and let her know you want to be notified when she orders another round! Thank you! stacie@handsfreemama.com
Oh your stories! They are so touching and amazing and inspiring! Thank you! The song was so deeply moving!
Hi Rachel, I love your blog, have been reading for years. I love the work you do for your kids and for others.
As someone with quite a lot of experience with therapy pets (and that what Paisley is in this context) I just want to give a single piece of advice: learn all you can about cat body language, about signs of stress and anxiety and watch your cat closely while you’re at ‘work’ with him. Even just being pet/held/talked to by several different people can be stressful to pets; just make sure that Paisley really enjoys himself.
I’m sorry for the maybe negative sounding comment, I’m only working with shelter animals so much that they always come first for me…
lots of love, take care,
Sibylle
I greatly, greatly appreciate this, Sibylle! Both my daughters have gone to a summer camp at a local shelter that teaches them all about signs of stress and fear in animals. But we will definitely pay close attention to Paisley when we are in this situation again. We are planning to do it once a month so we don’t overdo it with him. I have had cats all my life and this is the first one who loves to ride in the car and be friendly with strangers. I believe God gave us Paisley for a reason and it is to bring comfort to the elderly. But we will mindful to make sure Paisley is enjoying it as you suggested. Thanks for your beautiful work in the world.
Hi back, Rachel! Thank you for taking great care of your kids, Paisley and a bunch of adults (including your readers). I am looking forward to more stories from this very special cat,
OH, my! The tears just stream from my eyes as I take in this amazing story! Thank you for being the hands and feet of our dear Lord in this cold, lonely, self-centered world! This was just SO inspiring to me today. May God bless you abundantly for brightening the lives of these precious people and all who read of what you did. So happy to meet you today…visiting from Joshua Becker’s post.
What a beautiful story. God knew what blessings this cat would bring to others. I had a similar experience years ago. I would cut bouquets of flowers from my yard, place them in clean food jars, and take them to the local nursing home. I would walk in the door and just ask God to show me who needed flowers that day. I had the thought of how many of these residents might have had beautiful flower gardens in their homes they vacated, but couldn’t have any in the nursing home. I walked the halls and felt God stopping me at one particular room–perhaps because the woman inside resembled my recently deceased mother. I asked the lady, “Do you like flowers?” She said, “I love flowers, look!” She had a book case filled with arrangements of artificial flowers in a myriad of colors. She was so appreciative of the real flowers… I definitely felt that I had been directed to this woman by God. We just hope we can somehow make a tiny difference in someone’s life and day; make their day brighter or make their load lighter… just for one day.
Thank you for this lovely, inspiring story. Your daughter, Natalie, is a treasure, and so are you for encouraging her.
Your post today touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Your daughter is a special young lady with a big heart. May you both, and Paisley feel the same love you so freely give!
Thank you, Carrie! This message touches my heart! Thanks for leaving a comment!