Eleven years ago my children decided that a puppy would help improve my life. My late husband’s best friend was probably the one who encouraged that thought, knowing that I was lonely and lost. When Toffee came into my life, he was 3 months old, and so very cute. I was told that I could send him back with no problems since there was a long list of people who wanted him.
He has been a real blessing to me, and I have learned a lot from watching him and raising him. For example, the rituals in life which I have so long rebelled against, are quite necessary for dogs. His morning consists of getting me out of bed as early as possible — preferably before 5:00 — quick check out in the back yard, gobble down breakfast in 10 seconds or less, beg for that inch of banana, go out again for big jobs, come back in to make sure I get my own breakfast. Once Toffee is successful in that full routine, he can relax and sleep.
The pandemic has been a challenge, of course, for all of us. One of the biggest changes in Toffee’s life is the loneliness. He used to get visited daily by several of my students. Now he only gets to hear their voices and see them on the screen.
I could write for days on blessings in my life. The stories about my children and now my grand-children; about my friends; about my adventures; my interesting and varied opportunities. That is one reason I started this blog. I want to write some of these things down, and I find that as I write, I realize that there are so many good things in my life. During the year of covid I often dwell on the negative and what I am missing and the fear and uncertainty. Each day when I spend 10 minutes writing, I am reminded of the blessings, the funny events, the good thoughts that I experience every day.
A year ago I became obsessed with Desiree Dawson’s song, “Just Fine”. I listened to it over and over, as a way to remind myself that things will be just fine. ….there is a part in me that knows that I’ll be just fine….
Reflections 