Can I Trust You?

Eight years ago, Frida chose (with the temptation of food) to enter our home and give up her freedom as a feral cat.

For the longest time, she wouldn’t make eye contact and I accepted our relationship on her terms. 

One morning, as I made my way to the kitchen to prepare her food, she greeted me with hesitant eye contact, tilting her head slightly, wrapping her tail protectively around her front paws…non-verbally asking ‘can I trust you?’ 

Years went by before she would allow me to touch her.  Now, she regularly cuddles with Paul and me, and sometimes sleeps curled up under my chin. 

Estimated to be 10 years old, we consider the day she entered our home to be her birthday…so ‘Happy Birthday, Frida!’  

Of all the gifts you’ve given me, the greatest is the lesson in trust. 

“Can I Trust You?”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 12” x 5.5”, Acrylic on wood. ♥