Recently, something happened that reminded me how life has a way of giving us little nudges—some funny, some painful, but always meaningful if we pay attention.
Let me tell you a quick story.
Our black cat, Charcoal, had been gone for four months. But every time my husband—lovingly known as Tatang—spotted a black cat anywhere, he’d crouch down and try to coax it over like some kind of cat whisperer. I’d always tease him and say, “Stop that! What if Charcoal hears you making friends with other cats and decides never to come home?”
Two weeks ago, around dinnertime, our village guard came knocking at the door. He asked Tatang to check out a cat they found at the clubhouse. The moment Tatang saw the tip of her tail, he knew—that was Charcoal.
She looked healthy, had a new collar, and you could tell someone had taken care of her. When Tatang bent down to say her name, Charcoal’s eyes lit up. No hesitation—she remembered him. So he scooped her up like a long-lost daughter and rushed home to surprise me.
Now here’s the twist…
In his excitement, Tatang completely forgot we had three golden retrievers—Sushi, Maki, and Mochi—who had also forgotten Charcoal during her absence. Same house, but it felt like they were all strangers now. Confused barks, hisses, tail wags… it was chaos.
Then—OUCH!
Tatang yelped and jumped.
Charcoal had scratched him. Deep. A puncture wound.
And just like that, the celebration turned into a late-night emergency—a visit to the animal bite clinic at 8:30 p.m. Shots, bandages, and a tetanus booster later—we finally exhaled.
Charcoal is back. The family feels whole again. But not without a few scratches and a small adventure.
Now, here’s what this little story reminded me of. Three simple, but powerful life lessons:
1. Sometimes, what’s lost comes back—but not always in the way you expect.
Charcoal returned, but life had changed. She had a collar, she smelled different to the dogs, and the reunion came with a wound. But she came back. Life has a way of restoring what’s meant to be—even if it’s a little messy.
2. Love doesn’t always look perfect.
Tatang got scratched, but he never got angry. All he said was, “At least she’s home.” Sometimes, the people (or things) we love the most might hurt us—not out of cruelty, but confusion or fear. Keep loving anyway.
3. Peace of mind is worth the effort.
That late-night drive to the clinic wasn’t fun, but we slept better knowing we did the right thing. Peace of mind doesn’t come free—it usually takes action.
So, how can we bring these lessons into our daily lives? Here are five little things you can try:
1. Reach out to someone you’ve “lost” touch with.
Send a message. Call. Write. Just open the door again. You never know who’s waiting to come home.
2. Welcome people with grace—even if they’ve changed.
Like Charcoal, life might have marked them with a new collar. Don’t let that stop you from embracing them.
3. Expect a little mess. Don’t let it stop the moment.
Not every reunion or milestone will go perfectly. It’s okay. Focus on what matters most—connection.
4. Keep your emotional first-aid kit ready.
Learn to pause before reacting. When someone scratches you (figuratively), try to understand where it’s coming from before you strike back.
5. Don’t delay what gives you peace of mind.
Make the doctor’s appointment. Say sorry. Say thank you. File the papers. Whatever will give you peace—do it.
I hope this little slice of our life brings a smile to your day, maybe a bit of reflection too. Charcoal is home, Tatang’s healing, and the dogs are slowly adjusting. We’re still a little chaotic—but we’re complete.
And maybe that’s what life is all about.
