Friday on Paradise

It was a cold, and rainy morning.
I crawled out of bed, peeking at a new day.
Like everyday-
the punch-in-the-stomach, break-your-shattered-heart feeling
reminded me of this never welcome reality.
Like everyday-
I got dressed to go for a walk.
It helps.

Since it was cold, I put a sweater on Griz
and we headed out the door.
As we walked, I noticed he was walking kind of funny.
I encouraged him.
"Come on Buddy."
He wasn't limping...just walking kind of like a weeble wobble, back and forth, and not very fast.
I stopped a couple of times.
"Come on Griz."
He continued his slow gait.
"What's wrong?"
He seemed to frown at me.
"Ok, then. Let's try this."
I pulled his paws through the sweater.
"How's that? Better?"
He shook his head, as if to say, "Sheesh."
He shook his whole body. "Free at last."
The rest of the walk was fine.
He got his point across.
He just didn't like the sweater.

Smart dog.

I like to listen to music when we walk,
whatever suits me at the moment.
This morning's moment was
The Jersey Boys and Oldies Station.

I thanked God for the day...prayed for friends and family.
I talked to God as I look at his creation.
A quiet day, except for the early morning traffic of a small town.

I don't know what happened, but Griz
got wrapped around a pole...don't ask me how, but it happened.
As we danced around the pole getting his leash unwound, I began to chuckle.
We continued on our way, and I found myself singing, and doing a little dance with Griz.
By the time we got to Paradise, I was skipping to the music - not a kid skip but more of a Caleb skip.
Of course, his was manly, mine was just a scoot...maybe it really wasn't a Caleb skip, but he was on my mind when I did it. I think that counts.

Right after I got home a friend brought me some fresh produce from her garden.
Her smile always brightens my day.

I got my new microwave installed this morning.
I really like it.
When the timer goes off, it plays a little tune.
How cool is that.

I had lunch with a wonderful friend.
We hadn't seen each other for a while.
We laughed, and caught up.
What a blessing - great visit, and great Thai food.

I was on my way home.
It was my plan.
But, I ended up downtown with road blocks everywhere.
I had a feeling I was wrong about the Homecoming parade.
I was sure it was over.
No.
It was just starting.
So, I parked.

There is something about small town parades.
Homemade floats with happy kids, laughing and talking -
and throwing candy.
There's the high school band - which, by the way, now has bagpipes.
I was impressed.
There were dirt bikes and four wheelers.
There was the familiar Hitchcock train with preschool kids,
and even the pig was in the parade - the famous 'kiss a pig' had his own float.
Queen candidates ride in a convertible, and everybody waves at everybody
-because everybody knows everybody.
It's sweet.
It's home.

I waited till I got in my vehicle.
Then the tears came.
It's just how it is.
The wave hit, like it does...totally unannounced.
Memories of  a life that has passed beyond this world.
Grief hits when it chooses.

I came home.
A friend called, and we talked about the bagpipes.

I talked to my husband.
I think we're going to the Homecoming game.
Maybe.
Sometimes I can.
We'll see.

It's like this.

I live.
I laugh.
I cry.
Every day is different,
yet the same.

I'm home now, at my desk.
Griz lies at my feet, snoring.
In the sorrow, there is peace.
Through the tears there is joy.
I'm not alone.
It's another day on Paradise.