For months, I’ve been struggling with self confidence as a writer. Am I good enough? Who reads or cares about what I have to say anyway? Do my words make a difference to anyone?
As fate, or more correctly, God’s grace would have it, I changed my mind today.
Earlier today, I let our dogs outside. They became fixated on a big green pick-up truck that was stopped in the middle of our dead-end street.
A young man lowered the cell phone from his ear and shouted out his window, “Excuse me. Have you seen a little dog running around? ”
“I just got out here. I have not, but these guys will let me know if anyone comes to visit.”
“Thanks! I live right behind you on the next street over. His name’s Ghost. He’s a super friendly, male pit bull.” The man looked distraught as he drove away.
Poor guy. Christmas day and he’s looking for his dog. I have to help him.
I took my iPhone out of my pocket. I was going to post a message on the Ledyard Animal Control Facebook page. However, when I landed on their site, I saw a picture of a pit bull, posted 38 minutes ago. The caption read, “Anyone recognize me? Male. Safe at Ledyard Animal Control. Call and leave a message if you have any info.”
WOW! That’s has to be him. I’ve got to find the guy in the truck.
I ran into the house and grabbed my car keys. I left the dogs in the backyard and drove to the next street over. I saw the green pick-up parked in the first driveway on the left.
My adrenaline was pumping. I was nervous. It was Christmas day and I didn’t want to intrude on a family’s holiday together. I knocked on the door with nervous anticipation.
Oh please let this be him. No one wants to lose their dog on Christmas!
I heard a young child’s voice from inside the door. “Mommy, there’s a stranger at the door.”
They have kids? Oh boy! Hopefully, this isn’t their worst Christmas ever.
The young man I saw earlier opened the door. “Did you find him?”
I showed him the Facebook picture. “Is this your dog?”
“Yeah, that’s him. Do you have him?”
“Oh! Thank God. He’s at Animal Control. He’s alive and he’s safe.”
I saw two young children, dressed in Christmas pajamas, each holding on to a leg of their mother and peering at me from behind her. The children’s mother looked like she was about to cry.
I told them, “Don’t worry. He’s safe and alive. He’s in very good hands.”
The gentleman called Animal Control immediately. He and the rest of his family thanked me over and again.
Their gratitude was an unwrappable gift.
I learned shortly thereafter that Ghost was reunited with his family.
Merry Christmas to you.
Although I often think about quitting and not writing anymore, I will continue to write, because I can’t not write. These sort of experiences won’t let me give up. I need to share these true stories with you.
And every now and then, I receive a little note of encouragement – an unwrappable gift. Earlier this morning, I received a note on Facebook. ” Would you mind if I use the words you close your posts with as a meditation mantra to make a positive, powerful change for 2014?”
It’s been a good day. Merry Christmas to me.
Be Kind. Be Thankful. Be Significant.
