Day 803
When I write, I find the sunroom to be the place where inspiration joins me. I often write Goldens within these walls in a welcoming chair (from a beloved friend) and the Goldens always join me. They seem to know they are safe here AND they know Mama will stay put for a little while!
With three pups up on their favorite blanket, snuggled on the bed, there is not really room for the fourth. Today, that left poor, sweet Gus on the floor. He looked a bit forlorn, so he was invited to sit next to me where he would feel included. He was a happy boy!
Feeling included is an important need for all of us. Probably finding its roots in past generations, where being included meant survival ( for dogs and humans), it is still critical for our happiness today.
Yesterday, when we had a Nanny/Asher day at the pool, my little buddy felt left out of all of the games being played by groups. Finally, after many attempts to join a game, my grandson came back to me with sad eyes. “Hey, Nanny? Nobody wants to play with me!” My Nanny heart broke. I had been sitting on the side, throwing rings for him to find underwater, but knew I needed to drop about 60 years and jump in to play. We had fun and his little heart seemed to be mended. Disaster averted!
There have been many times in my own life when I felt excluded. Thankfully, most were not by design, but still I remember the sting of rejection. Carrying that feeling with me through the years has allowed me to be more sympathetic with those who don’t fit in. Being sensitive to any outcast’s plight, I have always tried to include them. Whether it is a child alone on a playground, a senior sitting off on their own or a lone guest at a restaurant, I try to make them feel somewhat connected.
Grab a hand, sit in the empty chair next to a senior or pay the tab for a lone diner. There are a million and one ways to make people feel like they belong.
For my Goldens, if there’s no room on the bed to snuggle with the pack, there’s always Mama’s lap. No 100 pound Golden can feel excluded there!
