I walked out of the gymnasium with Molly; a dear friend of mine. We trotted alongside our Lifestyle Fitness class, worn Converse squeaking against the tile floors as we stepped out of the doorways and embraced the sunlight. The golden hues illuminated every spec of the senior courtyard. Our voices echoed through the breezeway, the transfer of noise familiar to such an area.
We chatted about ideas to put into the world through the pen, when suddenly, our eyes were drawn to a creature sitting on a plaque, surrounded by tiger lilies and heather. It scrambled, its head camouflaged by the foliage of the ferns. The body was still visible, though, making us realize that this was not just any creature.
It was a cat.
The cat’s fur was like snow spotted with copper. It slowly snuck out of its sanctuary, batting at the branch ahead. The copper cat was young and filled with life, a spring prepared to bound across its lodging area. It swatted and swatted until it slipped, losing its stance on the platform. Perhaps it was looking for a bird, hidden by the length of the undergrowth. Or having too much fun playing with the branch ahead.
Either way, the cat attempted to pounce without hitting the landing.
The cat stared at its audience. Amber eyes peering at the crowd, one leg stretched as it gazed at the amount of eyes that saw the defeat. Its head turned, the embarrassment of the situation finally setting in as Molly and I gazed at its visage. Its whiskers trembled in the breeze as it scurried off, prancing down the brick road ahead. It hastily escaped, galloping through the grass and cement into solitude. The copper cat concealed itself in the underside of a bench, the shade masking its presence.
Our class continued its trot to Gym Three, conversing about coming into contact with our famous furry friend.
I wanted to capture this moment. Encapsulate in photographs and words. But no form of human observation could describe the beauty. Staring into the golden orbs of the copper cat, her fur contrasted against the greenery. Graceful, yet clumsy, the cat’s movement along brick and soil.
Over forty students stopped to peer at the feline that did not let one stumble let it fall. The copper cat picked itself up, shook the shame off, and sprinted. Misfortune did not define this cat, as it should not define me. Or you. Or anyone.
As I went about the rest of my day, I could not dim the light of that ray of sunshine. The copper cat’s endurance instilled a motivation to keep going. Even when the cumulonimbus drew near, the glimmer would not dampen. Roaring thunder, lightning that could strike and split me in two, yet here I stand.
No storm could stop my success.
And, as I went about my day, the world seemed a twinge brighter than normal.
