The Therapy Dog

Chloe the golden retriever is an employee of our hospital, ID badge and all. She lives and works on the adolescent unit, offering kindness to the kids with depression and calming others. She seems to know instinctively when someone is in need of a fuzzy nuzzling or an understanding look. Here she is with Julie, one of our MHTs. We all worked together today. I can tell Chloe, "Come here. You have some work to do," and she will reluctantly get up from her sprawled position in the middle of the activity, amble over to a new child and put him at ease. Chloe took classes to become a registered therapy dog when she was a pup. What a natural she has been! Sweet and sensitive. But when she sees a stranger coming to the front door, she will bark in her deepest and most fiercely protective voice. It that mild-mannered Chloe? She has a few favorite people - the ones who bring her treats - and gets excited when they come in to work. Since she is an employee of the entire hospital system and not just our area, she gets called upon to visit patients in other areas who are sad or lonely or maybe just missing their own dogs. Chloe is about seven years old now, and we can tell she too gets burned out on her job at times. But she has such good work ethic, and duty is always calling. She is probably our most faithful employee.

Taking Time to Listen Within

Topics to write about have not been coming easily lately, and I know why. Not enough consistent quiet time. It is hard to frame our thoughts when there are demands placed on our time or when there is a steady stream of unfiltered noise around us. That just makes us tend to react rather than reflect. In proportion of course, those aren't bad things at all. In fact they can be quite good and add structure and definition to our lives. However, a serious attempt at writing requires quiet or solitude. Since I am obviously not that serious, and if I had to choose one over the other, I would prefer the activity. But listening as the mental notes fall into place and then writing them is best done when there is quiet. Cold Mountain is a beautifully written novel and - I think - should be required reading for an American Literature class. What exquisite metaphors! I remember reading an interview Charles Frazier gave in which he said something like he forced solitude on himself in order to finish the book. I look at that sort of solitude as a sacrifice that real writers make in order to produce their best.

All Is Calm

This may be my next favorite part of the Christmas season, right after being with family and the Christmas Eve service at church. These year end days following the activity feel calm and peaceful, restful and hushed. Now the Christmas tree can be enjoyed as it sparkles and gives the house a holiday glow. I find myself mesmerized by it. The ornaments that were earlier hung in haste are now subject to individual contemplation and admiration as they dance amid the lights. There are leftover goodies and edible gifts of the season to be savored. Anxiety is a thing of the past. Dark comes early. The nights are long and and sleep comes easier. There is a feeling of satisfaction, of making it through another Christmas and another year. The season of restorative lull has begun.

No Blog Today

There will be no blogging today. My brain is still on its post Christmas hiatus along with its companion, my body.

A One of a Kind Christmas Gift

Here is an original art Christmas gift from my creative, well-traveled brother. The photographs needed explanation since I had neither seen nor heard of them before. They are art deco styled lifeguard stations in Miami. I really like the entire picture, the interesting photos and the black frame, but most of all, I like the way he made something special that he knew I would enjoy.