Day 387

Touch...is there anything more comforting than a gentle touch?

Miss Lilly was "back in the saddle" today after her two weeks of staying quiet and still. Her back seems to have improved greatly, so we headed out to see some of out favorite seniors over at Walker.

We met a new friend, named John, who asked us to follow him up to visit his wife up in the Care Suites. Of course, we said we would be right up there after a couple of stops along the way. When we arrived, a staff member directed us to the couple and we sat down for a visit. Although his wife was unable to communicate, John was very excited to see us...especially Lilly!

As we visited about his past, Lilly snuggled right up and was enjoying some great ear rubs, head scratches and back massage action from her new buddy. All of a sudden, John stopped in mid-story and said, "I can't remember the last time I touched a dog. It just feels so wonderful!" Lilly, on the other end of the encounter, seemed to agree fully! After a bit, we said we had a few other stops, but would be back next week. He was so very appreciative and told us he would look forward to that more than we could ever know. Touch...

Next stop was one of Lilly's favorites! Sonny not only gets down on the floor from time to time, but he also has dog treats! Win/win for the Golden! After the humans moved into chairs for a chat, Lilly took up her usual spot on the floor where she ALWAYS touches Sonny's foot. He loves the feel of that head next to his shoe and Lilly can feel safe with her head tucked in where she knows she is protected. Touch...

After a few more encounters, we ended up with our beloved Don. As he approaches 100 in a couple months, he often enjoys walking down Memory Lane with stories of WWII, growing up in the country and his beloved Edith. When our visit was drawing to a close, he reached over and took my hand. It was then, as we held hands, that the richest words surfaced.

This is the essence of what he said: We lose many things in this life...friends, loved ones, our sight, mobility, personal independence and so much more. You can dwell on that, or you can look at those changes as ways that other doors might open. He went on to say that if he had never moved to Walker, he would have missed meeting some of the people he truly loves now.

It was then, still holding my hand, that he said, "I never would have met you and Ranger and Lilly. I am so grateful for you in my life. I love you."

With tears in my eyes, I told him (for the 100th time) that I loved him too! Sharing what a difference he has made in my life seemed an understatement, but I just looked at our joined hands and simply knew he already understood that gift. Touch...