Life, Keys and Poodles

All Dan saw out the window was a black blur so he sounded the alarm. The dogs escaped. I got a glimpse of Sam looking like a horse with head up and tail flying. They are full of sheer glee and delight and stupidity in their escape. Running on the sidewalk, in the street, across the street - a black herd with only one purpose: to run. Eventually they come home, I know, but it’s the time between escape and their return which scares me. I saw my Luke hit by a car once. Thanks to God he survived but maybe the next wouldn’t. So while they run up and down the street I run to the car.

A chase in the car is essential for a search in our twisty streets. And of course I need keys to start the car. Since the big snow last winter mine had been missing in some deep drift. I was compelled to use Dan's. Thus a detour to the back of the house for his keys meant delay.

Yet this day, after unusually high temperatures and blasting winds, the ground was mostly snow-free. As I ran to my car I watched where I was going (a good practice no matter the crisis). A snow drift had vanished and behold: my keys were revealed. They opened and started my car for a successful search.

In pondering all this I realized finding my keys leads to a greater Truth: life can be perilous unless we use the means to find what is precious. A full, safe, satisfying and productive life is essential.

Belabored by fear and old habits I have hidden a great deal from myself and others. I can find myself rushing around in unfulfilling activities.

I need to recognize that retirement and aging as not necessarily a lack or loss, of uselessness and deterioration. Now I have opportunities to explore deeper meanings to life, deeper truths about Me, what I came into this world with and how to use this for my calling. I have realized I can create beauty, I can write, I can explore the world of the Spirit unhindered by preconceptions. And I can express and convey to others what is revealed so it may help them in their own journeys.

I need keys for what lies ahead of me but I also need that push to act. The necessity to pursue my dogs in my car led me to my lost keys. Chasing that which is dear and beautiful and full of love can provide the means to open those unknown doors and reveal a transcendent life.