Day 844

There have been numerous times in my life when someone said, “Don’t worry…I’ve got your back!" I have said those very words myself. This morning, as I smiled at my three oldest Goldens and the “rays of sunshine“ their backs produced, that old saying floated through my mind.

Sometimes, when I have needed someone to back me up in the past, I learned a life lesson. Not everyone is capable of being there for you…and that’s OK. Some simply don’t have the gumption to follow through and support others. The words are easily shared, but the follow through takes a special friend indeed.

Having embraced that truth, I learned to refrain from telling someone that I had their back unless I was ready to step up and offer them my unfaltering support. If I wasn’t ready to follow through with that advocacy, I would simply wish them well with their endeavor. Empty promises never helped anyone.

The gift of someone’s true and unfailing support is a true gift. Others have been “The Wind Beneath My Wings” during my education, raising my children, writing books, training Goldens and other dreams of mine. We always need others to lighten our load and help us succeed. What a life gift those trusted, respected individuals are in our life. For those who have had my back, I am eternally grateful.

Hopefully, we all can be true to our promise when we say, “I’ve got your back!"