Yesterday I did something I’ve never done before. It was one of a possible 25 things…
- Voted for a Republican.
- Voted for a Democrat.
- Ran for elected office.
- Whitewater rafted on class V-VI rapids.
- Flew to France by myself.
- Ate a pickle.
- Got thrown out of a Major League Baseball game.
- Sang with a top 40 band in a nightclub.
- Hung out with Derek and Julianne Hough.
- Shook a sitting president’s hand.
- Lost my temper.
- Got caught under a sinking sailboat.
- Witnessed a boy hit on his bike.
- Was on radio and TV.
- Sat on the edge of the Rhein and the Thames.
- Jumped off a cliff.
- Emceed a hermit crab race.
- Gave a speech.
- Conducted a mediation.
- Taught a class.
- Wrestled a free t-shirt away from a group of ten year old boys.
- Won at the blackjack table.
- Cried.
- Was judgmental.
- Asked for forgiveness.
Ah, alas… while I have done all of the above (and some have been done or needed to do far more than once), yesterday, for the first time, my family brought home a dog.
With such a choice, I realize anew that we are a divided nation in far too many ways — in this case: pro-dog vs. no dog. We are — in my sincerely strong opinion — so good at finding things to fight about. We can — in my also sincerely strong opinion — do better at that… at giving grace to one another, to hold the opinions they hold, even when different than “mine.”
I’ve been told, no less, that what’s so beautiful about a dog is that they are often far better than the rest of us at unconditional love. They’re happy to see you. Our mood doesn’t matter. The differences of opinion we hold don’t matter. They are loyal. They love you no matter what. Differences and opinion and intellect and all the other earthly obstacles are removed.
So I’ll say what I’ve learned with most of the new things in life — more than the 25 moments listed above… I look forward not to what I will teach this pup…
But rather…
… what she will teach me.
Respectfully (with a faint bark from a back room)…
AR
Oh, she will teach you more than you ever anticipate! She will find a place in your heart that you didn’t know existed. And she will bring joy and at her end- sorrow. But the joy will outweigh the sorrow and you will realize the blessing God gives in the animals in our lives. I think there is a reason God spelled backwards is dog. Love you.
Enoy the journey!