being Franklin...

This morning as the sky was just starting to lighten, the sun had not quite started to rise above the horizon when Hubs had the awesome idea to head outside, we all know I love to be outside, I added the idea of a walk and it was game on. I am not being stupid with my walks, I have accepted that I definitely have boundaries that require respect. 

As we rounded the corner at the end of our street, I started to wonder if my grand-cat Franklin would make an appearance.  He has become the neighborhood celebrity.  He makes the rounds every day, saying good morning and getting love from everyone on his daily journey. 

Franklin needs love, constantly.  If my daughter and her kids do not provide ample amounts (and I do not believe any human can meet that need), he just starts visiting neighbors.  I firmly believe that he has adopted everyone in the neighborhood.  Even folks like me that are allergic can't resist the urge to give him pet and a treat, if they came prepared.  

He is also crazy vocal.  Franklin wanders the sub-division singing the song of his tribe, it's like he is calling people and other animals to him.  

Since the boys passed we don't walk our neighborhood very often, the memories are a bit raw, even a year later.  I loved meeting our neighbors in the mornings, before everyone got busy with their days. As I am healing and need the short flat walks we have started to walk our neighborhood more, and at a more reasonable time than 4 am.  

Today was a blessing, as we slowly walked we started to encounter all of the people we used to see every day.  Everyone was enjoying the soft morning light and mild temperatures.  Living in the Midwest mornings like today are priceless. 

We stopped and chatted with the neighbor at the end of the road for a few moments, and then found Hubs young friend (a fellow veteran) just a short ways down the next road.  While chatting with him about his new career and the future (he is getting married to a delightful young woman next month) we spotted our neighborhood celebrity.  

Franklin was basically doing the same thing.  He was "chatting" with another set of our neighbors, oddly we don't know their names, even though we have been talking to them ourselves for years.  They are serious power walkers and every morning would chat with our boys while we were walking. Watching Franklin wrap himself around their arms and legs, encouraging them to speak his love language, I found myself mesmerized. 

Put me down Gramma, I'm not done
visiting the neighbors.

We kept walking up towards them, that was the direction we were heading anyhow, and stopped for a few moments to chat about Mr. Franklin.  We were all laughing that he was on his way to the bus stop, he has several kiddo's that he stops to see at the end of our street every morning.  He is always there to greet them as they wait patiently for their bus, he absolutely cannot get or give enough love.  He doesn't understand any of the things that divide us silly humans, he simply gives and gets love.  If you are near, you are his target. 

After chatting for a bit, Hubs and I continued on our walk, I stretch myself a few extra steps a day and this morning, I felt strong.  We were laughing at Franklin, as he meowed in our direction, but headed on his own journey to the bus stop and his friends.  He kept pace with all of them as they headed off.  

He didn't finish walking with them though, the intersection of the main street and ours seems to be his stopping point, he was ready to wait for his friends.   He spends most morning watching our neighbor complete her work out.  Watching for the dogs Holly and Kira.  He wants to be friends, but is cautious.  He has 4 other kitty siblings and a bunny sibling, but there are no dogs at his home.  

As Hubs and I headed back to our street Franklin decided we had not loved on him nearly enough and gave us the opportunity to rectify the situation.  As he started to ignore us, we decided to finish our short walk and head home to enjoy a small fire in the Solo before the day started to be busy and rushed. 

A few moments later I hear him.  He's chasing us down the road calling us, Franklin has decided today he is going to hang out with the grand parents.  He followed us at a leisurely stroll until Grampa opened the door, he was going to get a bowl of refreshments for Franklin, and evidently he knew it, because he poured on the steam and took off running after Grampa easily slipping in the door. 

We let him wander around and enjoy his treat (trust me that boy is not malnourished) for a bit, before escorting him back out.  I am allergic to cats and it's been almost two years since I have had a cat in the house, my immunity to them has disappeared. 

We enjoyed spending time with him, but it was time to go in search of kiddos.  So while he wandered off we headed to the treetop garden.  

It wasn't long before he was back, he must have heard us, not sure, but soon we spotted him in the backyard, calling us. When we responded he decided that he would like to visit the treetop garden and soon his little head was poking up.  We enjoyed him and our fire with out coffee.  Laughing at his constant need for pets and love. He made me move my coffee so that he could lounge be side me in front of the fire, the small table on my chair is perfect Franklin size and puts him right in arms reach!  Perfect for petting!

When it was time to come in he wasn't happy that he couldn't join us, and sat at the door yelling his displeasure - for a moment.  Franklin is never one to not be in search of another friend. He's a lot like Hubs. 

Franklin is unique and wonderful.  He occupies our neighborhood Facebook page to the point that we might need to rename it the Franklin Fan Page.  Neighbors spoil him and watch out for him.  His siblings all seem to stay in a tight circle of their home.  They are all extremely loved and spoiled, Franklin is just far needier than the rest.  He is "technically" my grandson's cat.  But when he went on to live his life, he stayed with his momma and his neighborhood of people. 

The beauty of Franklin is the unconditional love he approaches life with.  He doesn't judge (unless you don't offer sufficient loves).  And he is full of passion for living his best life.  I would say over the course of the day, as he makes his rounds, he probably travels five or more miles.  He has never met a stranger and talks to everyone.  

Can you imagine how different life would be if we all decided to be like Franklin.  So much of the division, hurt and hatred that seem to be invading modern life would disappear. We would all have time for one another, for chats and hugs (it might be weird if we start petting each other), to make each other feel valued and important. If we went out of our way to simply be there during important times of the day to lift each other up.  Not to mention the calm and peaceful feeling that each of us would feel by simply slowing down to enjoy life!

Wow... it could be the powerful shift this crazy world needs right now... 

I guess I need to start working on being more like Franklin... And if you are in the neighborhood and see our local ambassador don't forget to stop and offer him a few extra pets and maybe a treat (if you are prepared).  You will make a friend for life.