Give Us A Purpose

  It happens to all of us.  Old age creeps up like a spider on a fly.  Slowly at first, stealthily, then pounce and it is on us.  We never know what hits us until it smacks us right up side the head.  Sure, we feel the little things.  The eyesight starts to dim a bit, the hearing gets a little dull and the joints begin to feel slightly rusty but, in our minds, we are still young and healthy.  It isn't easy to accept that things are not what they used to be.  I am at the point of denial.  I keep pushing this old body beyond the limits that should have been set several years ago but the brain does not want to admit that there should even be limits.  I hop out of bed before dawn as if I am some sort of spring chicken but by the end of the day, the body reminds me that is more of an "old gray mare" and I ain't what I used to be.

 This aging process that plays havoc on our bodies leaves the brain a tad confused.  This afternoon after I broke loose of working with the grinder, a hike was in order.  These tromps about the hillside soothe the soul.  Mr. PJ (the old dog) and I explored a couple of new paths which elated him.  He found more new scents to invigorate his senses.  At first, his steps were slow and encouragement was needed to keep him moving but, once he picked up on the scent of the bobcat that recently visited the compost pile, he forgot all of his aches and pains.  The instinct of protecting the place and me, kicked in and he stood strong and alert.  Each sound pricked his ears, each slight movement caught his eye.  The old dog was young once again.  

  Late this evening after four hours of being back inside the Little Bayou House, Mr. PJ awoke from a sound sleep to edge his way over to my side.  He looked at me with concern, laid his head on my knee and I gently rubbed his ears.  We had a mutual understanding.  He had done good.  Even though he is advanced in years, he still was needed.  Natural instinct had given the old dog a purpose and that was to protect me from any danger.  Growing old may not be to our liking but, given a purpose, we can still be important.  This old dog and I....we will do alright.