BETWEEN THE LINES: NEW BIRTHS MAKE CELEBRATING SPRING SIMPLE TASK

It had to happen eventually.

I knew that it would.

I just wanted more time to prepare for it.

The neighbor's cat who adopted me as her owner delivered her kittens in the wee hours Monday morning. The neighbors have gone to Indiana, so it looks like the new arrivals are staying at my house for a while. (Until acceptable homes can be found, at least.)

Ever since she arrived at my back door last week, I have known that the cat was ready to deliver any day. I just didn't know when or what signs to look for when she did.

I even called a vet to check on the situation. I asked all the right questions: How would I know when she was ready to deliver? How long would the delivery take? What should I do to make sure she'd be comfortable?

As instructed, I fed her more often than the other cats, found a box and created a bed just for her. I even cleaned out the closet shelves so she could sleep there. But all my preparations were in vain.

She didn't really care for the hiding spots I selected and found her own instead. Luckily, I was able to convince her that the box was perfect as a birthing room.

All four kittens survived and quickly began to mew and whimper for food. Maybe it's a bias on my part, but they really are adorable.

As expected, the arrival of these four kittens caused a bit of a disruption in my normal routine. But then I've managed on little sleep and a general lack of preparation before.

This birth isn't the first time I've been ill prepared for an event I knew about in advance. At last count, I wasn't ready for any of the ice storms or heavy snows predicted last winter. Actually, I haven't even been prepared for any of the holidays, even though they are clearly marked on the calendar.

Last Christmas snuck up on me -- and it's usually the holiday that gets the most attention. Valentine's Day was a waste because I didn't have a valentine, and my birthday passed without event.

But now that spring is here and Easter is coming, I'm set to celebrate. And I'm ready.

I've been preparing my home and yard for the blooms that come each spring. The flower beds will be ready. I've ordered some plants and have been scouring the catalogs for more to add to the yard.

Watching the kittens' birth and seeing the new plants shoot from seeds I had planted reminded me of the power of spring and new birth.

It's a timely message as we begin preparations for Easter.

For most it's a time for bunnies and chicks, flowers and candy. But that's not really all. It takes on an even greater scope that spans centuries.

The greatest part of the Christ child's story is the majesty of it all. He wasn't just born, he arose.

Celebrate that new life this spring holiday season.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.