October 17, 2007

Life Gives You All Kinds of Surprises

Life gives you all kinds of surprises. Just when you think things are going great WHAM! Something hits you out of left field that you weren’t expecting. So what do you do? Last year, I wallowed in it. It was awlful. This year I refuse. I refuse to wallow. I have to find the silver lining. GOD allows things to happen for a reason. I know we do things all on our own that would cause us pain but sometimes there is no reason. None that we know. So what is the case? What is the deal? I believe that in the darkest clouds their are silver linings and that if we give GOD a chance he will show us the blessing. So I sit and wait for my cup to overflow.

October 5, 2007

Nelson

Man it is one of those mornings when I didn’t want to get up out of bed. I don’t know why. It is a beautiful day outside and it is Friday. Could it be that Nelson woke me up in the middle of the night needing to outside? Don’t get me wrong, I am appreciative of the 110 lb. weimaraner that is so trained that he will wake you up at all costs to go outside to use the restroom. But their is just something about being woke up by a kiss in the face in the middle of a dead sleep to only guess why. Then think about it. You open your eyes and this huge dog is looking at you eye to eye. It is enough to make you sit straight up in bed.

I love Nelson. He is great! He is like the perfect dog. He’s got his quirks but to me he’s perfect. I originally adopted him to be at the detention but now he’s at my house. I have never had an inside dog before. He is training me somewhat. His previous owners must have taken him to obedience school because he doesn’t chew, bite, or marr the furniture. He pees and poops outside. He has thrown up in the house but that was my fault he was trying to let me know but I just didn’t understand him fully. Now when he acts that way I know. I pay a lot closer attention.

I have always heard people talk about their pets like they were part of the family. Just as important as one of their children. My brother has 4 dogs, 3 that live inside and 2 horses. They don’t have any children. I am sure if you asked them they would consider their animals like their children. But when your dog or cat is with you all the time you grow more attached to them. We had a black lab for 14 years and I loved him. But I spend so much more time with Nelson. I actually feel a little guilty about not spending as much time with Hulk (the lab). I know that they were two very different kind of dogs and different circumstances but anyway now I feel like I cheated him and myself out of some enjoyment.

Nelson is quickly becoming an important part of my family not just to me but to my husband and son too. It is funny how he has become one of us and we are all considerate of him just as he seems to know our feelings and are considerate of us. Example, last week, I wasn’t feeling well. I went to bed and shut the door b/c I didn’t want to have to deal with "loving on Nelson". Nelson laid at the bedroom door so my husband let him in. Instead of demanding attention he came and laid beside the bed. He didn’t go to sleep like I did, he just laid there watching over me. When we leave to work and my son is at home with Nelson doing homework. Nelson will go into his room and curl up under or beside his desk just to be with him.

He won’t let you ignore him. He will get your attention. He loves to be petted. He loves to go for a ride and to go through doors. He’s lazy and when we are home all day we wear him out. I think he is just one of the coolest dogs I have ever met. I am so glad he’s come home to be a part of my family. 

October 3, 2007

Beautiful Sunrise

This morning was beautiful. The sun rose over the lake at Lyon College while Nelson and I took our morning walk. The sky was pink and purple and it was calm and peaceful. The ducks were taking their morning swim, so I was blessed with a beautiful beginning to a great day. Not all days seem so great and get off to such a beautiful start but when you are fortunate enough to have one, it is nice to pass it along to others.

I greeted each student this morning with a smile on my face and song in my heart. In turn they smiled back and seemed to have a little more to smile about. You see, I work at a juvenile detention facility and sometimes it is just hard for them to have something to smile about. It is amazing how much effect your mood can have on others.