Cleopa, my adopted cat, is nestled between my elevated legs at this very second.

She can hear the clicking of my keyboard, which is only six inches from her pink nose.

A picture of relaxation and serenity, she is a far cry from where she started in life.

She was born a wild cat, part of an urban brigade that lives off the land and the largesse of sympathetic humans.

She use to hang out on my front porch, along with three of her baby sisters. They were the most skittish bunch you can imagine. At first, theyd let me put out food, and no more.

Gradually, I was allowed to watch them as they ate.

Cleopa was the first to talk, meowing when it was time to eat.

I tried to feed her by hand, but she bit me. Gradually, shed let me pet her while she ate, and before long, she started taking her meals indoors, as I shifted the dish closer and closer to its final destination, the kitchen.

Now, she is the greatest pet you can imagine, so calm, friendly, and outright chatty when she wants to be.

All of this wonderment is a legacy of PATIENCE.

I look back at so many things in my life and I wonder why I was so impatient. I couldnt wait to graduate from schools, become credentialed, and there are so many things that I rushed, unnecessarily, that I paid a huge price.

But now, with this warm fur ball between my knees, I think Im seeing the rewards of patience, and she is too.

Im just happy I survived this long to learn this lesson.

The best things in life do come to those who wait.

It would just be nicer if patience didnt have to be one of the last lessons we learn!