Dog Days of Winter

Unless you're a dog owner you might not understand what joy it is to see your mutts jumping in the waves at the sea and chasing sticks.

And if you're not a parent, you might also not understand how satisfying it is to be with your kids and nobody else (except the dogs!). I gathered my family together this past weekend for a final beach hurrah! Some of our old patterns emerged: Josiah whipping us all at Scrabble with his wordsmithing, Gabrielle playing DJ with her I-Pod list ranging from Beyonce to Lady Gaga, and me cooking my mom's famous blueberry, banana pancakes. Even the dogs were predictable running until they exhausted every muscle in their bodies.



Some of our negative patterns emerged too, and hard as I might wish for them to disappear, they don't. I'll speak for myself here. I let my naggy, lecture mother come out. To be fair, I really want everything to be perfect before my move to Africa. It's just going to have to be what it is though. I'll spend time with those I love, impart my care and concern, and then let go (not quit, but let go)!