The joy of holding a small, fragile kitten in my arms and calling it mine is an incredible feeling. It suddenly became surreal that this little life is in my hands, depending on me becoming a healthy, well-raised cat. I remember not being able to keep my eyes off him. It was so difficult to convince my family to take him in; they still were against the idea. I know it's a huge commitment of at least 10 years (the average cat life span), taking care of it, feeding it, raising it, and ultimately the pain of going through losing them when they pass away. To me, it's just how life is. Life consists of joy, happiness at the cost of some pain. This powerful quote sums it all:

'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

—Alfred Lord Tennyson