Dear Friend of Tux,

Reunion can be a powerful thing.

Endless activities, appointments, and responsibilities of day-to-day life consume a great deal of time. So much so that it is too easy to feel disconnected from family, friends, and coworkers, without making a conscious effort to seek out time for connection.

You may recall that when I first became Tux’s correspondent, my office space was in the Community Room, so he and I were roommates. We were already good friends before we were roommates, but our bond grew when we worked side by side each day.

I still see Tux every day that I am at Tabby’s Place, but seeing one another just isn’t the same as hanging out and connecting. Tux will be the first to agree that administering his medications is certainly not the same as a visit, even when it puts us in close contact.

I recently returned from a quiet family gathering up in Maine. When asked what I did while I was there, I realized that we did little in the way of organized activities. What we did was simply spend time together, connecting, and hanging out. It was immensely soothing and exactly what I wanted.

Tux had recently reminded me of the importance of taking time to connect and just “hang out.”

First there was a day when my feline office mate needed a bit of quiet time, so I moved myself to the Community Room and set up to work at Ginny’s desk. Tux was on a nearby chair.

Perhaps Tux thought I was coming by to deliver medications, because he seemed to be in a deep sleep, with no reaction to my arrival. After it was clear that I was actually working at the desk, he lifted his head and started to purr. I gave him some pets and went back to work.

Time went by, and no cat had climbed onto the desk to assist with my work. Gulliver had recently moved to a different suite at Tabby’s Place, and I was feeling his absence.

Eventually, Tux woke from his nap, stretched on his chair, and then hopped up to sit in the adjacent window. He didn’t ask for attention, but he simply started to purr as he gazed out the window.

My heart warmed. All we were doing was “hanging out,” but we were connected, and that was immensely soothing.

Days later, I entered the Community Room to collect something from the printer near Tux and Ginny’s desk. Tux sat up and looked right at me as if to say, “Hello. Did you come for a visit? I’d love to catch up.”

It was immediately clear that what I had come to the Community Room to do was secondary to what I clearly wanted (and needed) to do in that moment: sit and enjoy the company of an old friend.

While I was still enjoying quiet connection with family in Maine, I saw a post that Gulliver had returned “home” to the Community Room.

It was a sweet reunion for Tux and Gulliver, who have been friends and coworkers for years, but had forgotten how much they appreciated simply hanging out with one another. The image (see above) of the two boys together again brought me great joy.

Tux and I thank you for “hanging out” with us as you read this update. Your connection to us is so very important. Thank you for sharing your love with us!

Your correspondent,
Lisa