Day 703

Today was the third adventure for Gus as a Therapy Dog! He was amazing and loved every minute! We started in the lobby, headed to see our favorite centurion and then found ourselves invited into a number of rooms. One lady asked if we were there every day. I explained that we were there to visit our friend next door. Her response was, "Could I be your friend too?" We assured her she already was!

Like many new experiences, our Gus was very excited. Tail wagging, tongue lopping around and trying hard to be Therapy Worthy, he did a fine job. He was a bit over-exuberant, but the people loved him!

When confronted with something new, we all tend to feel that energy. New job, new car, new friend...no matter what, it's exciting. As I get older, those new adventures are few and far between, but I well remember the experience along the journey.

As a new teacher, I gloried in the smells of new books, paper and ditto fluid! Bulletin boards were a joy to create and the act of teaching was a real thrill. As the years went by (and the ditto machines disappeared), the newness wore off, but the excitement remained. In the later years of my career, that energy became focused on new curriculums, deep relationships with the students and their families and "teaching teachers" best practices to make the biggest impact. Still thrilling...just a different hue.

Along those same lines, my home has gone from gathering to decluttering. It feels like the same energy, only it is easier to dust! Hobbies have become more refined as I learned what brings me the most joy and peace. Cooking finds me relying on the tried and true recipes instead of new, challenging dishes. All are still enticing, but now it is more about loving what I know brings me joy.

What still DOES bring excitement and pure, positive energy to my life is walking through a door at a senior complex and seeing a face light up...a hand reach out...a new friend made. That is what brings me joy. I believe my Goldens would agree!