A Fond Memory

As the Hope Team just got back from spending a week in New Orleans serving in the City where Hurricane Katrina wreaked her havoc.  I can't help but think of the week that I had spent there a year ago.  I have so many memories.  One thing for sure is that when I was there I realized for the first time how small and helpless we really are and how small and helpless I really am.  

It didn't take long to realize the devastation that the Hurricane did.  There were traces everywhere.

When I was there it was like I lived in two worlds.  The place where we slept across the causeway and then where we worked in New Orleans, on a street called South Derbingy.   All that week I had the privilege of bringing hungry teenagers to eat.  All around us were houses boarded up or people homeless.  It was hard to take in.

One day coming back from lunch I got lost and ended up on another South Derbingy.  But I guess for the kids that traveled with me all week I guess I was constantly saying "Where am I".  So they were used to it.  So they didn't know that I was really lost this time.  But it was a very scary moment for me and my GPS that kept on bringing me to the same spot.  

So that day as I said "Where am I".  I realized that I can't be in the USA, could I be.  A country that helps in so many other disasters.  Surely can't we help are own countrymen.  Or when I said "Where am I",  I realized that this was where I was supposed to be at this moment in time.  

On the last day at the airport going home once again I got lost in the airport cause I couldn't find the rental place.  And again I said "Where am I".  Well, I guess it has been tradition for team Hope in prior years to give plate awards and guess what award I got?  Yep You guessed it I got the "Where Am I" award.  Till this day sometimes I really don't know where I am.  But I guess thats a good thing!  At any rate whenever I say the words "Where Am I" it brings me back to that moment of time when I was the most uncomfortable and the most vulnerable and very humbled.

Living Beyond the Irreducible Minimum

My Dog Cooper is a yellow Lab. He's about 3 years old now, coming into his own. Still learning and very playful but also has a lazy streak in him.   Not what I expect.  My family is a very active,hyper family.  So I was expecting a very active, hyper dog to fit in.  So when looking into this breed.  Here is what I wanted.

Labrador Retrievers, originally from Newfoundland, were initially used in work alongside fisherman, helping to pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines. After being crossed with Setters, Spaniels and other Retrievers, the Labrador Retriever honed its skills as a true retriever. From this point in the breed’s history, "Labs," as they are affectionately called, were bred primarily to perform as an efficient retriever of game, with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of activities beyond hunting.

 An ideal sporting and family dog, the Labrador Retriever thrives as part of an active family or as a trusted hunting companion. A double-coated breed which sheds seasonally, regular grooming keeps his coat at its water-resistant best. Because of his even temperament and trainability millions of Americans own a Labrador Retriever as a pet.

With this being said I love my dog but he is not your typical definition of a Yellow Lab.  And the picture above is an example of that.  We went to the doggie park to run!!!!  Did you hear me to RUN!  And after running a bit.  He lays down in the middle of the field.  Like he wants to take a nap.  I am just not feeling this at all.  So I throw the ball and he just stares.

So Lori, what is your point.  He (my dog) has accepted the Irreducible Minimum.  The bare minimum, he ran briefly, he fetched the ball twice and he was done.  He was not concerned about being the best dog in doggieville.  He was just okay with being below average.  Not being exceptional, just existing.  And for us we sometimes do life this way.  Accepting the bare minimum.  As CS Lewis puts it "we are far to easily pleased".   You see, Cooper was easily pleased, according to his minute doggie brain he measured up, and now it was time to take a nap.  Blahh Blahh Blahh.

Well I want more, in life, more from life, more from my dog, more from everything I do.  I want to be exceptional.  I want to make a difference, not settle for second best, Especially not in doggieville. So it's to the park everyday until he gets it right.  And as you see below, I think he's got it!