Framework

The pre-dawn western sky was aglow as the nearly full moon shone brightly through the break in the fast-moving clouds. It had been four hours since sleep had overtaken in the comfort of the welcoming sheets embracing this possessor of Parkinson’s. Too early to engage fully, I reasoned, as Gracie the Golden nudged herself tightly against my legs. Gently she and I navigated her way to her preferred position stretched across my lap in the ever-welcoming recliner. A full agenda for the day ahead had kept me from rejoining the snooze brigade earlier. The warmth and weight of the loving and zealous seventy-pound creature brought comfort as I stroked her ears and neck. Sleep that still eluded me soon held her in its grip. Her whimpers and jerks signified to me that she was in a deep sleep and dreaming perhaps of an adventure in the fields romping about in the glee of freedom from the confines of the farmhouse. As she seemed to be consumed with dreams I whispered offerings of thanks for the joy of this time with one of God’s special creations. Surrender to accepting that this time awake was simply a part of today’s adventure and had offered me this blessing of cuddle and comfort added peace to the platter being served up. Gratitude, offered up in the expressions of thankfulness and in the presence of surrender is the framework upon which today is built.