In Swaziland, one of my favorite things about the place was Terrance. Terrance was so full of energy. He meandered around the children’s home like he was on guard. He played with the kids. He would wonder off on his own. He made friends with whoever was willing. And he always managed to find himself in peculiar places and some places he wasn’t supposed to be.
He is curious and energetic. He is fun and spontaneous. He is relaxed and ready for the next adventure. Terrance was amazing.
One day, Terrance and I had a dance party. It was just the two of us. We were out between the common area and the guys house and we were dancing as if no one was looking. As I held him close it was a freeing moment. My headphones were in, I was singing in a raspy voice, and we were spinning around in circles.
Terrance didn’t care and it didn’t matter to me what anyone else thought. Terrance and I were dancing and it was perfect! It was exactly what I needed in that moment. It filled me up with joy and brought a sense of ease to the day. Dancing with Terrance was the highlight of that day.
After a few songs, I put Terrance down. He looked up at me with those big green eyes. He looked around and he sauntered off like he owned the place. I watched his shinny black back and white paws prance toward the field where his pray lie in wait. I watched him turn around and look back once more and then his body disappeared into the tall grass only his jet black tail rose high enough for me to see.
Terrance wanted to make sure he wasn’t still needed before he went in search of dinner – that day it was a lizard. Terrance and I had dance parties regularly after that but usually not so public. Terrance the cat was a good friend of mine in Swazi and I hope he is looking after the kiddos I left behind, eating plenty of lizards and rodents, and of course, I hope he dances his little cat dance every once in a while.
