Blue and I saw the sunrise begin along the horizon. It was orange and gold then, as we circled ‘round the block and headed toward the park for the first time in weeks, due to cold and snow packed sidewalks. We both were missing our longer route. A few days ago he tugged that way, but I said, “No” and we took the shorter route to home. Today we ventured further once again. I was feeling ready and the dog was more than eager. “Let me at ‘em,” he said, with his nose down tracking. As we rounded the corner to the wide park path the glaze of ice was evident. Drat. Plan B was better. We walked in the grass. Diagonal even. A shortcut, “As the crow flies,” to quote an old expression. Blue looked at me with eyes that said, “Really?! You sure about this?! Fine by me, just checking.” That dog. I love him. Amber eyes that say so much. He didn’t woof, just trotted and stopped until I tugged. We made it home. Told boys, “Time to get up.” No one did immediately. Eventually they did. Before then though, a rose colored light caught my attention through the kitchen window. Oh. I opened the sliding glass door to the back deck. This. Pink clouds galore. Rose colored light. The essence of living life focusing on the Bright Side. Rose colored glasses. Except it was the whole sky casting rose light everywhere it touched. What a glorious way to begin a day. Today. I stood on the deck alone for just mere moments. Blue watched from the other side of the door, but greeted me as I walked back in to home. Good morning. I woke up hungry before 4am, but stayed in bed awhile longer. Morning whirl of dog walked, boys to school, now I can stop and breathe a second. Much better. Breakfast for me is next. Today is here. Embrace it.

January 14, 2014