EVERY MORNING, MY GRANDMOTHER FED THE “STRAY CAT” ON HER PORCH. THEN MY FATHER CHECKED THE SECURITY CAMERAS AND DISCOVERED WHAT HAD BEEN SLEEPING OUTSIDE HER WINDOW.

Perhaps that is the real lesson of Golden.

Compassion doesn’t require us to ignore danger, and respect for nature doesn’t mean we must be afraid of everything unfamiliar.

Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is help from a safe distance, allowing another living creature to remain what it was always meant to be.

Wild.

Free.

And safely beyond our door.