It's a Dog Life

Angel Daughter Number Four is one of those individuals who was born with a twinkle of absolute delight in her eyes.  She tends to live her days on the sunny side of life while spreading infectious joy to everyone around her.  She is my little sparkle and she can always make me laugh.   So when I heard her telling her friends, in the back seat of the car, that "she understands now, why dogs love to do this" I just had to turn around. 
And there she was, leaning her head out of the window allowing the cool breeze to flow through her hair, smiling, with a look of pure joy on her cute, little face.
Still giggling as a result of the adrenaline rush, she told her friends that they needed to try sticking their heads out of the window, too!
Then she caught me taking pictures of her, and the look above is the one that I recieved.  But I can take it.  I'm tough.  I have four children!   I can take it because I want not only for myself to remember these moments, but for her to remember them, as well.  Don't you ever wonder what it would be like to actually have someone document certain moments of your life.  There is so much that we forget.  So much minutia, so much that passes by without a second thought.  For me, it is a gift to be able to hold on to the little moments.
AD4 forgot about my picture taking, once again, and went back to her pure enjoyment of the wind blowing in her face and hair.
As quickly as the idea had occurred to her, she was finished and back to her more serious fourteen year old self.  But no matter, as long as the little girl who can relate to why a dog enjoys sticking his head out the window still comes out to play sometimes, I will be around to remind her that life is, indeed, joyful.

Happy,happy  fresh beginnings!  May the coming year bring health, love, joy, growth, found treasures, exciting journeys, old friendships, new friendships, family that loves and supports you, peace in the middle east, peace for our country, peace in your heart.

And can I just tell you how deep my gratitude for you truly lies.  I am thankful for each and every one of you.  The comments that you leave for me are like salves for my sometimes wounded heart.  Thank you...