Day 268
2/8/23
Being exhausted in a good way is an amazing feeling!
This is the feeling I have experienced after mowing the lawn, moving a child to college, walking four walks with Goldens, a long bike ride OR a good marathon at a Therapy dog venue!
Today, Lilly and I put in about three hours at our favorite senior residence in Anoka. We have some regulars, whom we have grown to love, and some new names who will become part of our hearts as we get to know them. They are all such amazing people with incredible life stories! Plus, they all love dogs!!!
When we arrived home, both Lilly and I sat down to ponder the visits. My Golden must have done so in her sleep, since she immediately went into a deep slumber with running feet, whimpers and wagging tail. I, on the other hand, made some lunch and debriefed with my wonderful husband. He is the best listener and cheerleader out there!
Having spent a few hours with our senior friends today, I wondered why Lilly and I seemed a bit tired. These friends have such honest, fascinating stories and make us feel so very special! One would think we would leave rejuvenated and full of energy. That would be correct on one level. We love every moment and our hearts are full after we have visited.
On the other hand, or paw, our friends have stories that tug at the heartstrings and I am one who soaks that all into my heart. Some are lonely, others are concerned about a loved one. Still others have health issues and many are frustrated with their aging bodies and minds. However, these are not the cause for us to be tired after we leave.
What has become clear to me is that each person, each story winds its way into my heart and resides there...thus filling me to overflowing. My respect and love for the elderly allows me to be able to really sit and listen to their incredible stories. Just today, I heard:
*a love story
*a chat about a sweet couple trying to make their new home here
*a hope for renewed energy to start driving again
*a plea for a tutorial on a cell phone
*a conversation illuminating a husband's love for his wife with dementia
*an interaction where I could not understand one word from the sweet lady in the bed, but our hearts could fill in between the lines
These and other encounters always leave me with a full heart, but almost like the feeling that I have just planted a huge garden...well maybe I have. Together, these seniors make a colorful, beautiful robust example of lives well lived. Almost like different flowers planted together, they create quite the floral arrangement.
Lilly and I may have been tired today, but it was the best kind of tired...the kind where you look back and realize the experience was rich and worthwhile! A good kind of tired indeed!
