Day 506

Patience is Golden. Lilly is the queen of patience and I am forever grateful for her gift. When we visit seniors, patience is essential!

Today, she brought so many smiles...so many outreached hands. This girl is always ready to move in and give some love or take a quick nap at my feet. Both are necessary when we are listening to our beloved, elderly friends. Their stories are descriptive and full of details as they travel back in time to vivid memories of old. It is an honor to be in the audience.

Patience is a virtue that has eluded me from time-to-time. When things are not moving at my predicted warp speed, when tasks pile up or any other time that finds me moving faster than, perhaps, is necessary, my patience can be tested. Strangely, that patience is always in check with our seniors, children and dogs.

Seniors deserve all the respect and empathy we can muster. They have walked their journey and now only desire to share what they saw and learned in life. Their longevity is accompanied by wisdom and incredible stories. If given the opportunity to grow old, we would all love an audience when we can't go to the show of life as easily anymore.

Children get every pass in the world from me! They are attempting to figure out life and it is not always easy! Relationships, nature, education...their plates are full to overflowing. We sometimes forget to remember their struggle with independence and intake of new EVERYTHING! Young ones are offered my most patient spirit.

Dogs...well dogs are in need of our patience more than just about anyone! Not only are they trying to understand people's demands, but they are also attempting to please their people at all costs. In training, I will give a command and the look in their eyes is sheer bewilderment. They need repetition, consistency, security and love. Along with a few treats now and then, my patience is always rewarded.

Now for those who are not young, old or possess four feet, my patience is rarely an issue. When I feel my angst building, it is important to remember that all any living thing really needs is security and love. When individuals feel safe, and you let your love flow, anything can be accomplished! However, a long deep breath helps now and then...just for good measure!