Her t-shirt said something like: Everyone Should Speak Dog
Sitting across from me on our brown shag that smells like dog I asked, “So, what’s your fee for services?”
“Oh—nothing,” she declined just as she did when I asked her fee for watering our plants in July. “I just like Henrietta.”
“No, no,” I pressed, “I still have the flyer you left in our front door. You’ll be feeding, playing, and walking. What’s your fee? We’re hiring Dog Paws.”
“Nothing! That was just something my friends and I did for fun,” she countered.
“Okay, I understand, but I’m going to choose a fee and leave it on the counter for you. Taking care of Henri is valuable to us.”
Henrietta must have had a splendid time with her dog sitter last night because she was pooped when we got home—could hardly get her outside to go potty. The reluctant entrepreneur from across the street has a Black Lab and nine month old English Mastiff. I had no qualms about entrusting Henri to the sixth grader’s care.
Jumping!
Hop! Hop!
Yesterday I started watching a Netflix documentary about Bill Gates brain.
Truly amazing.
He can read 150 pages in an hour and retain 90%?
A true partner with his wife Melinda.
Their foundation is solving human waste problems worldwide.
The worst day in his life was the day his mother died.
To my ears this sounds petty—I was not inspired after watching. At least I’m honest?
The series leaves me feeling small and insignificant.
Why am I not doing more to save the world?
Well, duh! I’m not Bill Gates.
I consider it a personal triumph that I recognize and am examining the feelings the series is pulling out of me.
Jumping!
Hop! Hop!
The girl across the street?
I’ve written about her family before. (Sorry, I can’t find the link!)
On the mornings her dad is home from his 12 hour shift at the power plant to take his kids to the bust stop…daughter, son and dad hug before the kids climb onto the yellow bus with green seats. When dad can’t be home, grandma comes to help the sixth grader motivate the second grader.
Daily, Henrietta and I watch mom leave around 6:30. She has a 40 minute drive to the classroom where she teaches kindergartners some of life’s most important lessons. Not the ABCs.
Why do I find their story more inspirational than that of Microsoft’s founder?
Which story speaks louder to you?
