The Sludge of Life

Today I watched my oldest son walk down the driveway with an eight week old pup. That morning, when the pup opened it's young eyes, it had no idea what was in store for him. He did not know that he would be going on his first plane trip and leaving behind all that he ever knew. Nor could her predict the two hour car ride from the airport. He did not understand or comprehend that in the morning he would be in one state, and in the evening he would be in another.

My son Joe has been anticipating the arrival of this pup for quite some time. He is full of expectations and hope for this young dog. As I watched this new pup willingly follow him down the driveway, I thought how pure and simple the human-dog bond can be. They spent the next three or four hours just walking and hanging out in the woods getting to know each other. Building the foundation of a bond that will last a lifetime. Forging a love that will cause both of them to protect and watch out for each other...and also, just as important, to simply have fun together.

I always tell folk that "we train from the inside out." With so much chaos and evil going on in the world, it did my heart good to see that little tail wagging away next to the legs of his new friend.

All was okay...all was right in the world.

My son is seventeen years old and still looks at alot of things in the world with young eyes. He has not been sucked in to the sludge of life that we adults accept as normal. It happens to all of us as we grow up.

But why do we have to get so wrapped up in useless worries? Why do we put value on things that are not worth anything? Why don't we open our eyes and look around us...and see, really see what's there?

I admit, I wallow in the sludge of life from time to time. But...I always wash it off sooner or later. Seeing the beginning of a lifelong friendship - like I did today, that is like a crystal clear, fresh waterfall washing away the built up sludge of life that was on me. It felt good...I needed that.