Day 1331

For the first time in DAYS the slippery sidewalks were manageable. It was decided (by The Golden Boys) that we should grab their collars, attach leashes and get some fresh air. After walking a mile, I realized that it doesn’t take long to lose the stamina that is often taken for granted…at least for humans!

The boys, first Sam and then Gus and Ranger, acted as if we hadn’t taken any break at all! They trotted joyfully along, enjoying all of the many new ”messages” from fellow canines. They loved every minute!

On a grander scale, reliving activities or memories can sometimes surprise us. For example, water parks or my beloved Disney World are reminders that a few decades have gone by since my days of racing around. Spending time at my old elementary school, visiting my college Alma-mater or retracing the steps of a past vacation can be disconcerting. It looks different, feels “changed” and the players are new. It is not necessarily bad… only altered.

Expectations to repeat memories are never realized. We are older, wiser and the cast of characters is changed. Whenever I revisit an activity or place, I try to embrace it from my present situation instead of trying to relive experiences of old. This never disappoints.

So, I sit on a bench more often to truly appreciate WDW. The memories of other experiences from my past are not compared but only serve as a foundation, making my new visit richer. Walking with my Goldens is always a unique experience and those water parks…point me to the hot tub after a few slides.

We layer experiences upon the next, tucking each one deeper into our heart. Ranger would agree! He enjoyed every step of his walk today with new sniffs on top of the old ones!