Let’s first start with context: I’m not a cat person. I’m barely a dog person. I’m really a piglet person. Baby pigs make me giggle. Someday, I’ll have a pet pig
But I digress. That’s not what this is about.
It was mid-May, and I was 3 weeks into my Bells Palsy horror, while still recovering from my mastectomy. I was pretty low. Looking at my own face was depressing. I had been hoping that I’d have one of the “short cases” that resolve in 2-3 weeks. Having hit 3 weeks with no real improvement, I had to resign myself to the fact that this could take 3-9 months.
I was devastated. Trying not to be, but I was. Nothing felt good, nothing was easy. I could barely see out of my affected eye.
Then the mail & packages came for the day. One was tube-shaped, and I was trying to remember what I had ordered that would come in this format… nothing came to mind.
I opened it. And immediately laughed aloud. My body filled with joy. Even with my crooked smile. I felt giddy.
It was a poster of a green cat, with THE MOST DELIGHTFUL phrase that resonated so deeply. “This huge cat has been assigned to you. You must accept this situation and find joy in it.” (See below for photo and link to the artist, David Shrigley)
I couldn’t immediately tell who it was from, but did a little sleuthing and wasn’t surprised to discover the gift came from a long time friend and coworker. She shared that she sent it on impulse but then wondered if it was a bit too bold. I told her I think the boldness and humor made it the most perfect thing- exactly what I needed.
I had it framed and it’s now the first thing I see when I wake each morning. It reminds me of three things 1) there is always joy, even when things are shitty; 2) sometimes the low times are really just fodder for laughter; and 3) if you have an impulse to send someone a note, gift, message, whatever- DO IT. It could be the thing they most need.
“This Huge Cat” by David Shrigley. Check out Shrig Shop- His work is so delightful. https://shrigshop.com