Learning Patience from a Wienie Dog

When my boyfriend moved in with us, he brought his little dog, Mickey. Mickey is about 8 lbs., 10″ tall, and doesn’t take no for an answer. A miniature dachshund with a big attitude, he’s tasked with teaching me how to slow down.

When I take Mickey for walks, he goes at his own pace and he rules the road. Any tugging on my part is rewarded with a staunch, dogged (no pun intended) resistance. He’ll put his head down as if to say, “I’m in charge here, lady. Don’t even think we’re moving yet.” As a doer with many tasks to complete, this drives me crazy. Does he not know all that’s on my list?

But after a minute or two of wondering why he must smell every single blade of grass, I look up and around. I see leaves blowing off of trees, hear birds chirping, and smell the coming of Fall. Sometimes patience is taught by the most unlikely of characters; in this case, he’s known all along what he’s here to do.

Censorship

Can it be that we’re in a time machine? Is it even possible that censorship is being proposed in our school system?

I don’t follow the news much but this recent craziness regarding changing what we teach our students so that we can “promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights” as well as not “encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law” has me in a state of wonder.

The United States of America does not have a pretty past but that does not mean we can stick our heads in the sand and pretend those things didn’t happen. How else can we learn not to make the same mistakes again? I recently read a great book inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke. “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd follows two young girls – one white, one black – who wondered why they had the roles they did. Why one had to “own” the other? Why girls couldn’t own property or vote? They both eventually made real changes in their world and isn’t that what it’s all about?

No country is perfect just as no individual is perfect. We are all learning as we go and we hope we’re heading in the right direction. It is only by reflection that we can see whether we need to steer left or right, front or back. To the students and teachers who are speaking out against this censorship, I applaud you. For that truly is a step in the right direction.

Friends Forever

 

 Yesterday was a gift of friendship. First, I went to lunch with a childhood friend and she gave me a birthday gift reminiscent of our youth. This small item plays a song that she and I shared in our world of make believe. It was a world filled with happiness and laughter. Opening and seeing this adorable instrument brought back a flood of cherished memories.

In the evening, another dear friend (this one from high school days) and her husband took my boyfriend and I to Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret for “The Songs of Sam Cooke & Stevie Wonder – Starring Soul Singer – De Thomas.” What a blast! The place was booming with excitement and catapulted us back to a time of musical genius.

When I got home, I just couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I am to be so blessed. Good friends, the ones that stick by you through self doubt and broken hearts, are what make this sometimes crazy life fabulous. If we all do one thing today, it should be to call a friend and say, “Hey, I was just thinking about you…”