Kittens Run onto Subway Tracks in Brooklyn, Trains

You know, right when I think the world has forgotten about the important things in the world, somebody goes and shows such an act of humanity, it just can’t be ignored. You can find this story on one of many news sites, mine was Google News. The long and the short of it was the MTA, the New York Metro line, shut down for an hour while employee’s did a bit of cat herding and captured the two that were hiding under the infamous 3rd rail. In follow up, they have now been adopted and are most certainly on their way to a loving home.

These little events in life serve as a reminder to all of us of the importance of nameless sacrifice for the things we believe in. The ability to push aside all the less important things for the more important things. The lives of a few kittens might not seem like much, but life is life and the recognition of it’s importance over things like the almighty dollar, schedules and other such trappings of the modern world says a great deal about our species. We are some of the few that recognize the sanctity of life and go out of our way to preserve it; even more astounding is the fact that we will preserve life that otherwise has very little meaning to us. Truly remarkable.

This all boils down to a simple concept we call sacrifice. We hear that word a lot, but I wonder how many people out there still remember what it is, what it means, and if they can recognize it when it really happens. In war we see it a lot the same we often see it in charitable acts by organizations who’s mission is to do that very thing. But what about in places where it isn’t seen as often as it used to be. Simple places like our home, in our family, perhaps in our very hearts.

Our society has grown more toward self-indulgence rather than sacrifice. How often are we willing to give up something that is extremely important to us, for somebody else? How often do we share the last morsel of food with a starving beggar? When was the last time you gave up your money for the movies, a ball game, or a new thing-a-jig just to drop it in the Salvation Army kettle? We come from generations of people that were willing to lay down their very lives for a simple concept … freedom. There are still a few of them today, but far too few, so very few.

And in our lives … how many couples fight and eventually destroy and/or give up their futures of happiness because one or both could not; would not, come to a point of compromise? Have we forgotten that the fabric of relationships is built upon two acting as one? Have we forgotten that the new 52” TV set really isn’t as important as surprising our better half with something they really want, but would never get for themselves because the family has more important needs. Have we forgotten that compromise often means that neither get exactly what they want, but both get a little bit of what they want.

Yes, we have indeed evolved in a more selfish, “me first” society. But not all of us, there are a few that can remind us what is really important. Kittens … simple, sweet kittens. Homeless and helpless with no value to anyone but a few decent people that remembered what life is all about. I tip my hat to those kind folks and thank them for reminding me of what is really important in life.