Thursday, December 6, 2018

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2002. We had many holiday outfits for Mattie's that year. After all it was his first Christmas. I love this photo because to me Mattie looks so happy that he could practically jump out of my arms. 




Quote of the day: I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~ G.K. Chesterton

Today was the day of THREE's! Three people telling me how grateful they were to talk with me. I would have to say that receiving this feedback is more meaningful to me than getting an actual gift. But here's the thing. I did not set out to be the recipient of this nice commentary, I was just being myself. 

I know two of the people who gave me this feedback and the other person was a complete stranger. 

This is Ed. I met him this morning while walking Sunny by the Potomac River. Ed was walking a BIG German Shepherd, who was intrigued by Sunny! We got to talking and I heard all about Ed's life and in particular his journey with several dogs which required wheel chairs. In fact, he appreciated me listening to his story, that he gave me a badge with his "on the road camp" logo and blog site. He felt I deserved it for being a good listener. Ed literally traveled all over Alaska with his dogs. He did not want a disability to prevent his loyal companion from traveling. 

The second person who talked to me today, is someone I see on occasion in my neighborhood. Just my hello, caused a river of emotions to pour out of this individual. Everything from trouble with her son's teacher to the recent death of her sister. After we spoke, she thanked me for listening and though I couldn't make things better, it was clear she felt better knowing that someone understood how she was feeling. I have found grief is this way, we all experience it differently, and yet there are some commonalities. Especially as it relates to our feelings about the future, about day to day life, holidays, and of course how we can or can NOT interact with the outside world. 

My third and final encounter today was with a good friend who is in active cancer treatment. For Christmas, she gave me a drinking glass that is etched with the word, "grateful." She said that it is to remind me how grateful she is to have me in her life. Hearing that I have helped her in some way and that I am making a difference in her life is the gift. Her beautiful glass will remind me of today's encounter and the moral of the story being that making time for people and listening certainly helps others, but at the end of the day it is through helping others that we ultimately help ourselves.