Day 572

Tonight was our Christian Hill Progressive Dinner. We were the first stop on the tour and guess who showed up! Santa! There were about a dozen children who simply couldn't believe their eyes! Santa listened, posed for pictures, handed out candy canes and stuffed animals and even kissed a dog or two!

One of our youngest neighbors was not too sure about the big guy and hesitated upon entering the room. His dad simply let him watch and, as the night proceeded, this little one became Santa's biggest fan! He made more than one trip up the stairs and then would return down to tell everyone who he had seen! Even at the last house, where we enjoyed dessert, he continued to regale guests about his visit with Santa!

It seems to me that we can learn a lot from our children when it comes to new adventures...

*Observe the situation.

*Decide if it is safe and right for you.

*Join in slowly.

*Participate to your heart's content!

For me, this progression of experiencing the unknown works quite well. I am an observer, but always look at a new situation with its potential in mind. There have been only a few times when I have thrown caution to the wind and simply jumped in without much thought. Luckily for me, those times have been wonderful and memorable. Still, it is not in my nature to proceed without weighing all of the information, pro and con.

When I was dog training with my Golden twins, their style of participation was vastly different. Ranger would jump right in and, sometimes decide he needed a step back or two. Lilly, on the other paw, would watch the other "students" perform the lesson and then set out with confidence and success.

Whether you are a "jumper in" or a "wait and see," hopefully the end result is a positive one. As for Lilly and Ranger, neither had ANY hesitation when meeting Santa tonight! Perhaps that is because they both know they are the best pups and will get a stocking full of goodies! Santa even told them they were not on his "Naughty List!”