The Blog

You know, life can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster, full of ups, downs, and unexpected loops. Just ask Mr Jenkins, a spry old fellow in his golden years, who lives in a cosy little cottage at the end of our Lane. Mr Jenkins has seen his fair share of frustrations and annoyances, just like the rest of us. But he also has a furry companion named Tiddles, a charming mash up of a cat with a knack for sniffing out joy from the most mundane moments.

One sunny afternoon, Mr Jenkins was trying to tidy up his garden. With weeds sprouting faster than he could pull them, he felt a wave of irritation creeping in. “I could have sworn I cleared this lot last week!” he grumbled to the pesky plants as he tugged at them. It was then he caught a glimpse of Tiddles lounging amongst the roses, basking in the warm sunlight. The cat rolled onto his back, paws in the air, completely unconcerned with the chaos around him.

Old Mr Jenkins couldn’t help but chuckle. Here was Tiddles, never letting a few weeds ruin his day. Watching his feline friend, he realised he had a choice to make. He could stew in frustration or embrace the moment, sunshine, weeds, and all. He leaned back and joined Tiddles on the lawn, feeling the gentleness of warm grass beneath him.

“Okay, okay, buddy,” he said, “let’s just enjoy the day for a bit.” The two of them, an old man and his lazy cat, soaked in the warmth of the sun and the peaceful sound of song birds. In that moment, the weeds faded into the background, and their little patch of earth transformed into a sanctuary of laughter and love.

Later that evening, over a simple dinner of sausages and gravy (a shared favourite!), he reflected on the day. “You know, Tiddles,” he said, stroking his cat’s soft fur, “it’s okay to feel frustrated sometimes. But staying there? That’s no way to live.” His cat blinked lazily in agreement, seemingly wise beyond his feline years.

The next morning, Mr. Jenkins decided to invite his neighbour, Irene, over for tea. He had often been irritated by the noise coming from her house, but he remembered Tiddles’ lesson and decided it was time to focus on kindness, especially towards himself and those around him.

They shared stories over steaming cups, laughter filling the air as they discovered shared love for gardening, local gossip, and even the occasional mischief that often follows the company of a cat.

Through his interactions and newfound friendships, Mr Jenkins learned that life would continue to throw weeds in his path. Yet, with a little kindness most importantly towards himself, he could choose to embrace the joy that surrounded him.

So, if you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed or annoyed, remember Mr Jenkins and Tiddles. Take a deep breath and maybe even find a patch of sunlight to sit in. In the midst of frustrations, find a little kindness, sprinkle in some joy, and let your worries fade into the background. Because, as Mr. Jenkins realised, life is too short to stay mad, it’s far more fun to roll around in the grass with a cat!