She rubs up against my leg as I take the cat food out of the packet. And, like those cat ladies on the beach, we are challenged to nurture creatures who rarely reciprocate with much warmth and affection. I’ve come to recognize a selflessness among the cat ladies to be admired rather than scorned. AdvertisementTo scorn the cat ladies is to believe that taking care of one of God’s creatures is to forsake all others. I await their return as the weather cools and their needs become more obvious, met by the cat ladies who deserve a salute, not quiet scoffing.