zach and david

These warm nights with the window open has provided some unique moments.

Last evening I woke up at 3am - and there was miss kate, eyes open and glistening in the light from the streetlight, staring at me. I said to her, "well hello lovedog!" - and she cocked her head to the side and leaned in and licked my face. then she swirled over onto her back for a belly rub. and I pulled her in against me and we shared a bellyrub in the middle of the night. I sure do love her! So it was no surprise when I woke up this morning that she was there again - staring at me. this time - it was a look that said "I believe it was 530am a couple of minutes ago - shouldn't you be awake? shouldn't we be taking me out to pee in the park?"

It was then I realized that - much to my dismay - that it was dark - not even remotely light. which means I'm starting into that sad time of year where I head to gym in the dark.

Miss Kate and I went out for our walk in Duboce Park - and there were two young homeless guys. Kate ran right up to them - and they played with her. and afterwards - they said to me "thanks for letting us play with your dog - most people run when they see us in the park." and despite my schedule, I learned they were Zach and David. and they had just moved here 'from being homeless in portland." - which was a funny thing to me. (although I didn't laugh) - it was like they were talking about a job transfer. anyhow - we said goodbye to Zach and David - and Miss Kate chomped on her morning kibble as I headed to Golds.

I thought to myself at the gym (while treadmilling my way to greatness) that I was so blessed. That while David and Zach were clearly happy with their life together - they were homeless and sleeping on a shared piece of foam. I realized how much the thought of that vs. my bedzilla with memory foam and my hotelquality towels and foofy bath products and full refridgerator terrified me.... and how spoiled I am. How much I spoil myself - and how good I have it these days. I was at once - touched by their togetherness, worried about them, dissapointed I hadn't offered to help in some way and ashamed at any whining/complaining I do about my life.

They slept there under the big tree in Duboce Park - covered in a tattered pink double sleeping bag. They were gone by the time I returned with Miss Kate on our 2nd dogwalk. (her favorite, because I drink my latte and she can sniff every individual blade of grass in the park)

but, there under the giant tree - you could clearly see the imprint their foam had made in the grass.

cause and effect

For a while I've been using this tagline in my emails:

Shallow men believe in luck ... Strong men believe in cause and effect. — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

and recently I was revisiting the essay it comes from, "Worship" from Conduct for Life. (full text link here)

( excerpt from Worship here )

Now that you read this in context, what do you think?