By Jeanette M. Pintar - with inspiration from Misty

I really wasn't much of a cat person - at all. I didn't understand what people could see in those biting, scratching, neurotic creatures. My experience with them had been limited to "psycho cats." And then Misty came into our lives...

My husband and I had no intent of being adopted by this little feline, no matter how mysteriously cute or beautiful she was. But God - and Misty - had other plans.

The fact that we could see her beauty was the first sign that our hearts were beginning to open to Misty. Somehow she managed to wiggle her way into our lives and it didn't take long for her love to crack our hearts wide open to allow love to flow freely. As a result of loving Misty and opening ourselves up beyond our preconceived notions of cats, our lives were touched in a very special way. Misty not only taught us to love her, but expanded our ability to love all cats. The result has been a wonderful blessing as we're able to appreciate their beauty, laughable antics, and lovable aloofness.

So often in life we shut our hearts to that which we have little knowledge of. Yet when we learn to open ourselves up and to see past our preconceived notions, we're treated to new experiences and the gift of understanding. When we allow love to flow instead of our judgments, we are blessed with more love circulating in our lives. We're able to connect more, learn more, grow more, see more, and be more. We experience an expanded sense of life and love.

--- © Jeanette M. Pintar, Inspired by Misty