Comfort is...

Fingertips soaking up warmth from the fur of a sunbathing cat.

The soft trill sounds a content feline makes at the gentle show of affection.

An absent brush of a dog’s nose against my calf as I walk.

The need for some part of a loyal four-legged friend to touch me as he sleeps.

Waves lapping at my ankles as I stand there and sink into the sand.

The smell of saltwater lingering in the cool breeze, along with seagulls.

Embracing a friend after removing the great distance between us.

The cherished memories that are born of those irreplaceable first moments.

Unconditional love freely given without the expectation of change.

The safe space created from earned trust and proven accommodations.

Self-acceptance after a lifetime of struggling through social definitions.

The confidence in being who I am without doubting my place in the world.

Pure euphoria, that feels as warm as the fur of the cat in the window.

The innate happiness of compersion in watching people I love live their best lives.