October 17, 2024

Just the other day, the sun was “the best brilliant sandwich ever,” as my friend Brian Doyle once wrote. I walked my house wolf toward a young mother pushing her stroller down the sidewalk, and just before we crossed paths, she pulled back the shade cover, revealing a blond-haired toddler. The boy immediately waved his tiny hand affixed to his chubby arm.

“He waved!” The mother beamed.

“He did!” I replied with equal delight.  The house wolf wagged her tail.

The two of them continued in the opposite direction, while I went off with my walking buddy, and the day rolled on with all its complications and worries.

But to quote another poet, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, that little exchange was “a small proof of pleasure and testament to tenderness.” If Doyle was right about the sun’s brilliance, these moments are akin to breaking off a generous portion of your lunch to give to someone and moaning, “Oh my god, you have got to try this!”

Read Andrew’s latest “Go Ask Dad” article: “Magic – helping western North Carolina after the hurricane”  HERE