ARGUMENT LEADS TO UNDERSTANDING, COMPROMISE, AND COOPERATION --- OR WAR.
Gary Amirault
Once upon a time there was a wonderful neighborhood. It was the very best neighborhood in the whole world. This is where a little boy lived. The boy decided that he would really, really like a dog. His father, who was a gruff, bossy man, told him "NO! No way are you getting a dog. We have gone all these years without one, and you don't need the luxury of a friendly pet."
But some of the neighbors knew that physically and mentally this boy could really use the companionship of a dog. They knew that it might cost a little . . . or even a lot, to maintain this dog, but it would truly be worth it for the whole community. Some people did agree with the father, but the majority agreed with the boy.
So, the boy got his wish. He picked out a rather scruffy, simple dog that guarded the whole neighborhood and gave comfort and peace of mind to almost everyone. The cost of dog food was do-able. Oh, sure, the dog could have used some grooming and a few lessons in obedience. The boy knew it needed to be cleaned up and trained, but the father refused to let him make any changes. He said it would cost too much, and besides, he just didn't want to help the little dog get any better. The kid had gotten the darn dog, so that's as far as the man was going to go! He didn't care to discuss the matter anymore.
Then some of neighbors who had previously agreed with the father, started thinking that maybe the boy should exchange the scruffy dog for a bigger dog. Maybe one that barked a little louder, and growled at passers-by a little more fiercely. Meaner is better, right? If the scruffy dog could protect the neighborhood and make everyone feel a bit safer and healthier, then a bigger, tougher dog could do a much better job. Oh, sure, they knew the new dog would be much more expensive to maintain. He would eat a lot more. He was the type that would chew up everyone's newspapers, and shoes, gnaw at all the Welcome mats, and destroy anything lying around that he took a fancy to. Soon the people of the neighborhood would be shelling out more and more money to help pay the expenses for the big dog, yet having less and less to show for it, as the cost of the new dog nibbled away at their paychecks.
The little boy was very worried. Would the neighbors talk his father into getting something that wasn't right for their community? He knew his family didn't have lots and lots of money. What would happen if they couldn't afford to keep the new dog? He would probably end up with no dog at all! Then he would be very, very sad.
This is where the story ends. You figure it out. Does the family keep the scruffy dog that needs some grooming, or do they take on the tougher, more expensive dog that perhaps no one will be able to maintain or enjoy?
And how is your day going?
Life is sailing along. The season is changing. We have run into some snags with Woodbridge Haven. I never dreamed there would be so many hoops to jump through. Can you say NAIVE? It's a big learning lesson, that I hope not to repeat in the very near future. The builder will start in a week or two and that is pretty exciting. Finally, some actual results that we can see.
It's funny to think that my first OVERCOMERS walk team was in October of 2014. It still makes me smile to think about the picture of me pulling off my wig at the FINISH line and the expression on a lady's face (she was standing in the background) when I revealed my baldish head. Whoopee!
This year's ESPECIALLY FOR YOU Breast Cancer walk is next Sunday and my little group of the OVERCOMERS is getting geared up for it. It must be the time of year for "walks", 'cause Jenna and I went on the HOPE Memory Walk last Saturday, in memory of families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Awareness, People, awareness!
Oh, and my pumpkin patch was kinda a flop. Jenna's "wild" pumpkin vine is going nuts and has produced one huge pumpkin and one about medium size. I, on the other hand, have smallish, petite melons that look more like those table-top versions for decorating. Whatever!
And again, prayers and good thoughts for all those people suffering from personal losses and material losses due to the hurricanes and earthquakes.
A lady from church was telling me that she and her brother were on vacation in Daytona Beach when the Irma chaos started. They felt lucky, because they were getting done with their vacay just before Irma was to hit. As they were driving to the airport to leave on a 1:00 flight, they were informed that the airport was closing at 5:00. Whew, they would be able to leave in the nick of time. Then they got a notice on her phone that the airport had already closed. She called (and actually got to talk to a real person) and was informed that the mandatory evacuation had started. My friend told the airport lady that they were almost to the airport. The lady told her to NOT come there and NOT to check in their rented car. If they did that, they would have their transportation (rented car) taken away from them. And with the mandatory evacuation, they would have to leave the airport --- yet have no way to leave the airport!! Yipes They were told to run for Georgia. She was concerned that the car rental place would think they had stolen the car since they had not returned it at the designated time. No problem. It all turned out okay, but my friend said the long drive to Georgia in a slow moving line of vehicles was like out of a movie. The three-lane expresses were expanded to five lanes when everyone started using both shoulders as additional lanes. Cars would drive off the road and into the ditches so their kids could go potty. Nightmare.
Everyone STAY CALM AND HANG IN THERE. This, too, shall pass.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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