Old Memories Make a Wonderful Gift

My Front Porch Volume 302 for Publication the week of August 7, 2023

Sam Houston is a syndicated columnist and newspaper executive. He is also an author, actor, playwright, and entertainment producer/promoter.

Old Memories Make a Wonderful Gift

This past week my friend Neva Sundvahl brought me a package. She had been going through things which her mother Rosanne had passed on to her and found some old notes. Neva knows and appreciates that I like a good story and she thought I would enjoy some of the clippings she had recently uncovered. I was in a meeting when she came by the newspaper office, but when I returned to my desk there was a folder full of antidotes and quant little stories. Here is one I wanted to share with you:

Things We Can Learn from a Dog

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Let others know when they have invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch when rising.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Never pretend to be something you are not.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shade tree.

When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you are scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Sounds to me like we all have a lot to learn from dogs. I want to thank Neva for bringing me the treasures which her mother had so copiously collected over her life. It is my loss that I never got to meet Ms. Sundvahl.  I am sure she and I would have been friends and would have enjoyed sitting on her front porch, regaling each other with story after story.

This week let’s all try and be a little more “dog like” and enjoy the wonderful life which God has given us.

Thought for the day: A woman marries a man thinking she will change him, and he never does. A man marries a woman thinking she will never change, and she always does.

Until next time…I will keep ridin’ the storm out.

sam@hcnews.com