Personal Story: How My Angels Arrived
By Jody Cope

Jody Cope’s life has changed significantly since the surprise addition of three kittens to nurture (and be nurtured from).

It was Sunday, and God sent me three miracles.

I drove my trash to the dumpster at my apartment complex. Not that I’m incredibly lazy and lifeless. I’m just weary. Having chronic fatigue syndrome has meant that I’ve learned to be creative with my energy, saving it for important tasks and responsibilities. Little did I know, I was about to come upon just such an important task.

I made the circuit around the apartment complex, and returned to my parking space just as three, tiny black and white kitten heads popped out of an empty space in the front of my car. Now, this might not seem too amazing to some, but I had spent hours on the PetFinders.com website for over a year, looking longingly at black and white kitten siblings. Each time, I logged off with a heavy heart, denying myself the joy of a furry companion.

I lived for many years with incredible cats that were like additional children. Now, lonely and confined to my apartment a good deal of the time with pain and fatigue, I had been yearning for just one kitten. But it seems that God in his graciousness had sent me three.

My immediate concern was for the kittens’ safety. What were they doing wandering under cars near the exit gate? These tiny little babies were in danger, just as I was in danger of succumbing to the hopelessness of chronic illness and pain. Now the social worker in me said GATHER THEM UP.

I set about finding a box large enough to hold them. Then, I took a crack at herding cats. There I was, on a hot Sunday morning, on my hands and knees crawling in the dirt with the ants and other insects. I caught the first two kittens with some effort, but the last one was stubbornly elusive. I finally gave up and sat down on the step with the box. Then out he came, walked over and decided to join the group.

Keeping kittens in a box is almost as difficult as corralling them to begin with. I didn't know what I was going to do but I knew I needed to do something—and I sensed that they were supposed to do something for me, too.

I spent two hours on the phone contacting all the animal rescue groups. No one could "take" the kittens, but one rescue worker offered to help by bringing me some supplies. In a few hours, the rescue worker arrived with a litter box, food and other supplies. Then, we took the kittens one by one into the bathroom for their first bath in the sink. The fleas came off and the cats trembled with cold and fear. They were so little, with shriveled pink bellies and beige noses. We wrapped each in a towel as we finished and held them close. They went right to sleep with exhaustion from their ordeal.

The rescue worker suggested that maybe the mama cat had "brought" them to me—not able to control them anymore. I didn't know how I was going to manage three active, inquisitive baby cats either. I had barely been out of bed for weeks. Pain was exhausting me. But I knew, somehow, that I would find a gift in this mission.

I became the Mama Cat of triplets and started making formula and feeding these babies every four hours. No more choosing to stay in bed most of the day. Now I get up early every morning, eat regular meals, shower, dress, do laundry when the babies are asleep and keep doctors' appointments. "Kitty-Proofing" has also been a blessing. Cleaning up after them and getting rid of stuff that could hurt them means I, too, have a more pleasing, peaceful home.

I’ve moved my muscles more than I have in months. As a result I have more pain, and I have to use my cane more. But I hope my muscles will eventually accommodate the goings on. My home health nurse said she has never seen me look better, happier and more positive.

I smile more and belly laugh a lot. I have company for afternoon naps, soft kitty kisses and rumbling purring to soothe my nerves. Any afternoon you will find me stretched out on the couch with purring kittens lined up on top of me from my neck to my knees. I promised I would find an adoptive home for one, but it is going to be hard saying goodbye. So many lessons these tiny beings are teaching me.

Once again, I say a silent thank you to God for showing me that out of the misfortune of a debilitating chronic illness can come a gigantic blessing of having the time and patience to enjoy every moment of an unexpected miracle… or three.