“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” ~John Quincy Adams
He looks annoyed here, but was purring the entire time I snapped his photo.
Coalby’s been a part of family for almost 8 months now. I have to admit that it was touch and go in the beginning. He and Meggy weren’t getting along and he was just so very skittish. It was mainly Jeff’s patience and perseverance that finally brought Coalby around from scared shelter kitty to secure family member. I did some work, of course, but Meggy has always favored me, so Jeff fell into the role of bringing Coalby around more. All of Jeff’s work shows too, Coalby very obviously favors him. It’s adorable I don’t mind saying.
It’s been a constant evolution with Coalby. Each month we notice something different that has changed, different ways he’s come around. He’s just started the occasionally snuggling, for example. He and Meggy play quite often and only rarely is there a fight these days. I’m still hoping they’ll snuggle some time, but I’m not holding my breath.
All of this work with Coalby reminds me that sometimes we just need to stick to our guns. We just need to be patient and persevere. Patience admittedly is an area I fall short in, but I’m working on it. As we begin 2010 and look to the goals and resolutions we’ve set, I hope we keep that quote from John Quincy Adams in mind. It’s good to remember that 2010 is 12 months long and that while we aren’t likely to accomplish all or any of our goals in January, if we continue to be patient and persevere who knows what December will bring.
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Ah, yes, patience and perseverance. They walk life’s pathway hand in hand.
I’ll have to point the Cat-Herder at this post. He’s always going on about patience, perservence and attention to detail–and he’s descended from JQA but I don’t think he knows this quote.
My black kitty always looks cross, even if he’s purring up a storm.
That’s the classic “why have you stopped petting me to take a photo?” face of equal parts annoyance and contentment. I know it all too well.
Lately I feel like I’ve been a little too patient but not persevering enough, so thanks for the reminder. =)
Too true that patience can be difficult–always good to get a reminder.
Glad to hear the two kitties are doing well together now. We just got a 2nd dog to play with Anna, and Roxi is most definitely more in love with husband.
But it equals out for us too as Anna and I are pretty closely bonded from spending so much time together. Luckily the two are doing well!
Can imagine that transition back is a bit harder. Days off can be so nice, especially with Jeff and you spending them together!