Day 540

It's often the little things in life that make our days beautiful. Our Lilly responded so well to her medicine (along with wonderful, healing thoughts from her fans) that she was able to SLOWLY walk to Walker for a short visit with a favorite resident. Our hearts were grateful...

As soon as we returned home and Lilly was ensconced in front of the television, Ranger and I headed over to Mercy. We connected with so many staff, visitors, volunteers and patients on this day. Our boy brightens many lives at a place where stress can run rampant and I have a front row seat to the magic! My heart was grateful...

Arriving home in the afternoon, we had a flurry of activity to prepare a family dinner, interspersed with walking our Goldens. (Cook, walk, bake, walk, set the table...) When my own family was young and I was a working mom, the senior women of my family would often have a wonderful dinner waiting for all of us when we got home. My mom and Elaine Collier would have dinner on the table and were such amazing role models for my children. Their love was treasured. My heart is still grateful...

Tonight, Asher and his folks came over to sit down to a home-cooked meal before the Scout meeting. They were happy to join us and I was deeply pleased to fill the table with food to nurture daughter Katie and her family. My heart, once again, was grateful...

It's the small gestures we make that just might turn someone's day around. Letting the person bump ahead of you with their few items at the grocery store, helping a senior retrieve the items dropped on the floor, spending extra time with a nervous patient and other small choices make the world a little kinder. It doesn't take more than a moment to make someone feel validated and 'noticed.'

My Golden partners make it easy to bring joy by simply being there. Once again, I get to witness these loving connections from the other end of the leash. Ranger and Lilly made this world a little more special today with their gentle small acts. My heart is grateful...