Day 159

10/20/22

Today was a day to make any Golden smile! Not too warm, plenty of leaves to roll around in and great walks along the river. Later in the afternoon, the pups all headed through the doggy door to find their favorite spot for a snooze. When the Goldens are happy, I am happy!

As each retriever matches their four steps to my two, I relished their unfaltering companionship. Sometimes, it is hard to distinguish where the leash begins and ends...we are so very entuned to one another.

Our lives, our home, our history and so much more is a familiar song we all know the lyrics to. Today, as we walked, I began to think about the lives of the people who stopped to chat, those who drove by and even passengers in the airplanes overhead. They ALL share their life stories with those surrounding their journey. When I contemplated the depth of that thought, it really made people come to life.

The older man walking alone who stops for a brief chat about the weather most mornings...does he have a wife, family or friends? I am sure he does, but I only see him.

The two friends walking by who ask if they can pet Lilly and Ranger...what is their story? What were their childhoods like, their parents, their education? I realize their history is probably rich, but I will never know it.

The gentleman with his Yorkies (yup, the aggressive little buggers who attack each other when they can't get to my dogs)...Where is his wife? Why does he put up with those challenging little pups? What did he do for a living? I will never know, but it has made him who he is and I am sure he holds his memories closely.

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt when I encounter rude behavior or unfair interactions. Perhaps they carry a burden we can't see on the surface. Like the people I walked by today, they have their own past and present history that is unique to them. When I think of the people and experiences that molded me into the person I am, I realize everyone has their own story and script making them who they are today.

It boggles my mind to think that everyone...EVERYONE has their own memories and experiences. When I think of how intricate the dance of my life has been, I can only imagine that each person has their own equally involved choreography.

Embracing the individual nature of the people I saw today, allowed me to look into their eyes and respect the secret journeys that made them who they are. I hope I never forget to respect the notion that each one of us has a history that only we can embrace.

Such a complex and beautiful world...unless you are a Golden. Goldens simply love everyone, no matter what music they are dancing to. That's not so bad either!