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The Miracle of Acceptance
From the time she was a puppy, I have said to Mollie, “Good
dogs have big lives.” Needless to say, Mollie has a very big
life. Not only does she come to my office, but as a certified therapy
dog, Mollie visits nursing homes, shelters and schools for special
needs children. It is amazing for me to watch how a 20 pound ball
of fur can touch people’s hearts in such an unconditional way.
And so it was, not long ago, that I found myself tagging along with
Mollie as we visited Give Kids the World. This center in Kissimmee
sponsors a one-week vacation for children with catastrophic illnesses
and their families. In addition to a wide range of activities, each
Saturday evening brings a celebration of life, a Birthday Party Parade
for everyone to enjoy.
On this particular Saturday, it had been raining and the parade
was cancelled. Just a few children and their families walked the
grounds, so Mollie and I sat on the side-lines. After a while,
we were approached by a young father holding his daughter, who looked
to be about 3 years old. With a head full of blond curls and a
round
angel face, at first glance, she seemed to be the picture of health…until
I got a closer look. Blue lips, pale skin, and oxygen tubes running
from her nose, every breath she took was an effort. Undeterred,
I watched her face light up as soon as she spotted Mollie. Her
father
leaned her over to pet the dog, and she giggled with delight as
Mollie loved all over her.
And then she started talking, not quickly and excitedly as small
children tend to do, but slowly, making sure to stop and take a
deliberate breath every few words. With great concentration, she
smiled as she
chatted about her dog at home, and all the funny things he did,
and how my dog reminded her of her dog. On and on she went. And as
I
watched her, something struck me…I was witnessing pure, unadulterated
joy. And I thought, “My God, this is what true acceptance
looks like.”
For in that moment, there was not one hint of self-pity, no resistance,
not one story about how this was wrong, about how that this kind
of thing should never, ever happen. There was just pure being in
the present moment, a “Yes!” that said, “It is
what it is.” And from that place, a miracle happened…Joy…for
her, for her father, and for me.
After I watched them walk away, I looked down at Mollie and shook
my head. A dog, a child. Our wisest teachers often show up in the
most unusual ways, and often when we least expect.
Until next time…
Be well!
Marina
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