This morning was the first time Mom Sheila has ever thanked me for a “gift” that I brought to her—one very unlucky mouse. Usually she won’t even look at the prize because she feels sorry for the little creatures. But today was different. I’ll let her tell the story…
The day before I had been cleaning out the laundry room and doing some wash that had been sitting for a while. They were some towels that I had been collecting to make one load. I grabbed some of the towels to throw in the wash machine, and to my horror, I uncovered one very alive mouse. I shrieked and tossed the towels back over the mouse. I know, it doesn’t make sense, but during a time like this, nothing makes sense, my fear was greater than reason.
I started freaking out and wishing so much Jeff was home! I stood there for a time just trying to figure out what to do with this unwanted visitor. I finally grabbed some plastic gloves, slid them on and got a broom and dust pan as weapons. It was time to wage war on this tiny thing. I kept reminding myself, it’s about 1% of your size, Sheila. Get over it!
One by one I gingerly lifted each towel with my broom, fully expecting to uncover the enemy. I discovered dry cat food and mouse droppings that broadcast the creature had moved in some time ago. I was horrified.
You should have heard me muttering to myself, “Zeeba, you remind me of a contractor that builds homes for everyone else but lives in an unfinished home. You are the most amazing hunter I’ve ever known, yet you can’t even keep these creatures out of your own house.” “Help,” I prayed, “Lord, I need help with this. I don’t know what to do.”
After fully cleaning and disinfecting places where I found evidence of the squatter, I moved everything around trying to expose my uninvited, scary guest. No luck. I finished washing everything twice in HOT water, drying them, and putting them away. Every time I came into the laundry room, I was scared of encountering the elusive vagrant. The only way I had any peace of mind was to convince myself it must have taken the eviction notice seriously and moved on to another place. And as long as I’m assuming the best, that place would be far, far away.
When it was time for bed, I wasn’t convinced the creature was out of my house. It was unsettling to think where it might end up. I started thinking about setting traps or spraying or something. Since I had taken away the cat food it was eating, I was fearful it would go looking for food in my kitchen! Yuck!
The next morning, I was fixing my hair, getting ready to leave on vacation. It made me sick thinking that I would not be around to stand watch against this intruder. All of the sudden, I heard the familiar wicked meow and knew Zeeba had brought me another gift. As I came around the corner from my bedroom, the sound got especially loud. Instantly, I realized, Zeeba was IN the house! I hurried towards the kitchen and followed the yowling around the wall into the dining room. Sure enough, Zeeba had brought me a mouse and laid it properly on the rug below the dining table. Just then it hit me. She had captured my unwanted guest. My prayers had been answered. And I had to eat my words about her inability to maintain a mouse-free environment in her own house.
She must have heard my mutterings the day before and decided to clean house, so I would no longer accuse her of shirking her duty in her own home. Very naturally, out of the abundance of thankfulness in my heart came the praise. “Good Kitty! Good kitty!” She sat there so proud and I think I heard her saying, “Well, it’s about time you appreciate all I do for you.”
Oh, Zeeba, I love you! Thank you for taking care of me and loving me.
Mom Sheila