Day 643

Sweet Asher said something that gave me pause (paws) today. Last night, he was invited to a birthday party at Grand Slam: a nearby Family Fun Center where you can enjoy mini golf, an arcade, batting cages, bumper cars, laser tag, a ninja course and an indoor playground. Nanny and Papa dropped him off at the party and the noise, action and fun was a visceral experience!

Today, when we chatted on the phone, I asked him if he had fun and if he was tired today. His response was illuminating.

"Hey, Nanny! It was GREAT!!! I got to do everything and my team even won laser tag! It was the best night EVER!!!!"

In response to being tired:

"You know, Nanny, my eyes aren't tired but my legs sure are!"

That child comes up with thoughts that make my mind immediately dig deeper. There are days when my eyes aren't tired, but my body certainly is. Looking at two of my Goldens today, Miss Lilly chooses to rest whenever possible while Sammy rarely has a "Tired Anything!" Although I would like to relate to Sam, it is Lilly (who is approaching 11) who I commiserate with daily.

So often, frustration erupts when there is a need to do something that would have been a breeze years ago. Climbing up a ladder, lifting heavy boxes, cleaning ceiling vents...you name it, there is added effort to tasks these days. They still get done, but the plan has to shift a bit to accommodate "tired legs!"

Having said that, I do find that my "eyes aren't tired" as often these days. This allows for better planning and deeper thought on my part. Whereas there was a time when I would simply jump in and "Get 'er done", now I try to work safer and more efficiently. Interestingly enough, it still gets done in the long run.

So, to embrace my Inner Lilly is probably a good thing. Our girl is more sedentary, but her mind is working all the time. Sam, on the other paw, RACES into the next activity without any plan or thought for the outcome. Both get to the finish line...think tortoise and the hare...and that is the important result.

Now, if I could just avoid tired legs AND eyes everyday, just think of what I could accomplish!!!!