As I said previously, my joy at finding the kittens alive and well was mixed with apprehension that this is a very crazy time of year for me, and I have precious few moments to spare for socializing a brood.
And yet.
The moment the drop trap came down one week ago today, corralling three of the four kittens (yes, a fourth had showed up), there was nothing more important in the world as setting them up in a nice big crate at Carrie’s, with food and soft places to lay their tiny heads.
And even though I had no time, there was nothing as important then as getting that last kitten, which I did the next day with a traditional trap. The sweet little runt, now called Tulum, cried loudly in the trap, causing mama Maya to get frantic and breaking my heart into tiny shards of glass.
Deposited with his siblings, Tulum quickly settled in and was the first to purr. 
We think there are three boys and one girl. In addition to goofy-sweet Tulum there is Kong, the fierce gray boy, so protective of his siblings; Fay Wray, long-haired blond vixen, biding her time in accepting us; and Mookie, an orange tabby charmer, very independent and calm and sweet.
In this first week, the siblings have come far, from hissing and fearful to acquiescent and even happy. And I’ve had no time for socializing kittens but what better use of time when you wake up on a Sunday morning and learn of a mass shooting? And Carrie might be losing her beautiful piece of property and the life she’s known for 20 years but kittens must be fed, picked up to learn who’s boss, and shown love so they love in return. She has not once complained about the time suck, nor shall I. These are beautiful little lives in our hands and now in our hearts, and they don’t know from shootings or the perils of getting attached to property.
I also don’t have time to worry about Maya now that I’ve taken all her kittens away, so why do I continue to go by there twice a day, even knowing she gets food from restaurant workers? I mean, I don’t have time. But I need to see her face and know she’s okay and forgiving me, and watch for signs that maybe, just maybe, the pull of human contact might tame her down enough that I can find her a place to live where she might get love. We all need it, right?
Until then, I’ll make amends by taking excellent care of her babies, and will find them perfect homes. Even though I don’t have time.
Thank you, Saint Francis, for schooling me – every single day – about what our time on the planet is for.
KITTENS!!!!
oh–but I know what you mean about the time suck. That’s what I thought when I found out I was pregnant with twins. 🙂