My kitten Mystic has taught me that no matter how old we are, we still need play. I adopted Mystic three weeks after saying good-bye to a very dear cat of mine, Jasmine. Mystic has taught me that hide-and-seek is not just for kids; it can be fun at any age. Peek-a-boo is another favorite.

We all need more play in our lives, especially because life is so fast-paced. These simple games make a day more special and help us unwind. Mystic helps me look at life differently. She looks at everything as an adventure. She is quiet fun. She gets a sudden light in her eyes when she plays. Pets reconnect us to the innocence and joy that we can find in the simple things – and to our childhood before we had to be grown-ups.