Desperation: The Battle Continues

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor each morning, Satan shudders and says "Oh, no, she's awake."

This exceptionally fine advice was sent to me recently by a dear friend in Dallas - simple, straightforward and powerful. In these black times, we need all the help we can get and there's no time like desperation to keep faith and optimism alive and well. Some mornings, only sheer will and an assortment of cold, curious noses get me out of bed. I resent the sunlight pouring through the blinds and the bird songs I hear, every passing second of time is an enemy, daily chores and routines dull my senses to a point of indifference and the call to give up is loud and clear. Surely the light at the end of the tunnel can only be an oncoming freight train.

My animals bring me back from the edge - not just that I must care for them and keep them safe, see that they're fed and sheltered and protected - it's their outlook on life as well. The small brown dog finds happiness in the smallest of things - the smell of the grass, a late afternoon breeze, the warmth of the sun or the comfort of a new fleece blanket. The black dog's love of life is limitless and incomprehensibly enthusiastic - she is curious about everything, a wind up toy on warp speed, never complacent or depressed, never overwhelmed, never not sure that the next corner turned will bring fresh adventure and a new start. The cats, each in their own way, embrace life and celebrate it although at a slower pace. They wake to each new day bright eyed and lazy, never doubting that it will be better than the day before, always in search of the next meal, the next nap, the next cardboard box, the next squirrel sighting.

Giving up is not an option so let the devil beware. Better times will come.