Day 442

Tonight was the Christian Hill "Night to Unite!" Even though there was a bit of rain to start the festivities, everyone found some shelter and the party really began when the last few raindrops were falling. I am so thankful for this amazing neighborhood!

One daunting realization was that I have become the matriarch on The Hill! Whew...I am not ready for that, but facts are facts. I was born into the Big White House and I simply never left. Some of the neighbors mentioned that they had lived here for 30 years or so, while I have been here for 68 years! Uffda!

As I began to grasp the magnitude of my tenure here, I began to wonder why I never left. Family, friends, memories and more have kept me anchored to the place I have lived all of my life. More than that, there has never been a driving urge to leave and start a new life in a new place. I have been content up here on Christian Hill and never felt the need for change.

Berating myself for lacking an adventurous spirit, I really delved deeply into my soul to see WHY I never looked for greener pastures. The answer surprised me. Although I am content with my roots growing ever-deeper each year into the Anoka soil, there have been other avenues of adventure. Travel, writing and reading have helped me to see the world through others' eyes. Raising a family has always been an adventure and joy! Becoming a professor also gave me new ideals and appreciation for education. Even with the stretching of my being through these avenues, there is still something else.

Therapy Dogs. With those Golden eyes following me everywhere and my eyes, in turn, seeing the good they bring to the world, I have found my adventure. Climbing up a mountain is like seeing Lilly touch an elder's heart. For me, making a new home in unknown territory is akin to watching Ranger delight a crowd of people at the hospital. Even Gus and Sam bring new worlds my way and a new look at life in general. I don't need to move away from my home to change my life...it can happen while rooted in the same ground as my parents and grandparents before me.

It's a good life right where I'm planted. My Goldens bring the adventures to me...and what a new portrait they paint each day.