It was the weekend, it was cold, and the last thing I wanted to do was go outside and rake leaves. Maybe you know the feeling.
I was relaxing on the couch, covered with a soft brown blanket. Ike sprawled across my legs. Kelly perched up on the back of the couch like a cat. They enjoyed goofing off too. My body felt warm and comfortable. My mind, however, wouldn’t let me rest. November in the Northeast means snow could arrive any time. No sense in putting off the work.
“We should get out and rake,” I groaned to my husband Mike. He looked no more enthralled by the idea than I.
We trudged outside, the dogs following. We unearthed our tools from the garage. I dragged a rake across the grass, grumbling to myself. My back hurts. I’m tired. I’ve got plenty of other things I’d rather be doing. My frustration grew right along with my red, yellow and orange leaf pile. The more I griped, the more tense my body became.
All the while, Kelly and Ike were nosing around the yard, tails swinging. Their ears bounced as they ran. They trotted up to my leaf pile. “Wanna play?” they asked with their eyes.
It didn’t take much imagination to picture what a golden retriever and a frisky spaniel would do if I let them get too close to my morning’s work. Those leaves would be scattered back all over the yard. I started to shoo them away.
Then, I took a deeper look at their expressions. Relaxed. Happy. Just wanting to connect with me. Darn, if those dogs didn’t always know what was best.
I set down my rake and called to them. “C’mon Ike! Here Kelly!” Clapping my hand against my knees, I chased them around the back yard. They bounded ahead, looking back over their shoulders. Catch us! The tension in my body melted away.
Then, just for good measure, I scooped up an overflowing handful of crisp autumn leaves and snuck up on Mike. The raking could wait for a few minutes. For now, I had some more important business to attend to.
P.S. If you need a little extra inspiration, check out this deliriously happy video!
