Inspiration: Behind "The Kit Bag" story.  

My life has been marked by the identity of a military child - a path that later included becoming a military pilot’s spouse. Over fifty years, I have been surrounded by real-life heroes whose courage and dedication have shaped not only my Christian worldview but also the stories and reflections I share through my writing. So, although "The Kit Bag" is not a Christian story or a devotion, it is a true story. 

I am thankful the Lord gives us comfort through animals. Our Maine Coons were sweet companions that kept me company through many deployments and life transitions. All of them lived a long life and brought us great joy. So, when I was given the challenge to write a drabble, I wrote a little tribute to Willie. 

Willie was my husband's cat. So, when the war kicked off, Willie learned quickly that the kit bag meant his favorite person was going to leave. It was pulled in and out of the closet so much over a decade that he eventually learned to hate the sight of it. 

My intention in writing The Kit Bag was to give people a little chuckle. The Kit Bag has been around for a century. It's typical shown in movies as a symbol that suggests a man has been to war. It is known for its specialized durability. However, in my home, it just took one disgruntled cat to show that the military missed something in its design -- it was water resistant not waterproof. 

* A drabble is a microfiction story of 100 words (Not 99 -Not 101 words- exactly 100) that has a beginning, middle, and end. They are challenging to write because you have to write tight. I hope you give it a try.

https://www.fiveminutelit.com/five-minutes/the-kit-bag   Published on fiveminutelit.com