LOVE,& A DOG NAMED MAX

by Larry L. Franklin

Dry Creek

Dedicated to our grandchildrenClaire, Anna, Katherine, & Elise

From Pop & Grandma

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Freshly manicured nails. Fingers that will stretch to intervals of an octave or more as they perform the running arpeggios and lyrical themes of a Beethoven piano sonata. But today, your fingers are content to clutch my thumb.

I cradled you in my arms like freshly baked bread, and leaned downward, pressing my lips against the top of your head. I kissed the softness of air. My mind drifted to an earlier time, a one-time visit to the Grand Canyon where I, a twelve year old youngster, witnessed a feat of nature. The depth of the canyon, the shape of the snake-like river, and the walls of reddish-stone that had absorbed the sweat and blood of pioneers who traveled its path years before, stirred me. But this time was different. I was moved to tears. Twenty four hours earlier, my daughter’s daughter had been born. Years later, it happened again, and again, and again. It happened four times.

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How do I welcome you, my granddaughters, to this world? Perhaps I could establish a custodial account, funded by savings bonds, mutual funds, or one hundred shares of Microsoft. The money could be used to secure your education, buy a car, pay for a wedding: all honorable objectives. But I need to do more.

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As my gift to you, I share my path of happiness that I struggled some fifty years to discover. I’ve never revealed it before. It’s a path that, if followed, will give you a life with love, a life with God.

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Seemingly elusive, my path to happiness is really quite simple. First, build yourself a flower garden, preferably one big enough to walk through. Surround it with bird houses, bird feeders, and a bird bath or two.

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Pick a shaded area and dig a hole. Place an Ostrich Fern in the hole and fill with a mixture of top soil and dirt. Rub the soil mixture between your fingers, breathe deeply, and let the earth speak to you. Stroke the leaves. Notice the tilted stems, the beauty of a plant without flowers. Move to a nearby spot and plant a Coral Bell with its purple leaves and long stems that hold miniature white flowers. Notice how the Ostrich Fern and Coral Bell complement each other.

Add oriental grasses, sedums, a bronze fennel, various shaped rocks, and your personal favorites.

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Sit among your newly acquired friends and feel the love, and the presence of God. On any special day, you might be buzzed by a hummingbird, blessed by a bee, have a butterfly land on your head, or listen to a wren sing a lullaby. This is truly important. In a short time, you will have created your flower garden which will attract birds, butterflies, bees, worms, grasshoppers, and more living creatures than you can imagine.

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N ext, buy a dog. Any animal will do but a dog is my favorite. Yours can be of the mixed variety obtained from a humane shelter or a pure blood with official looking papers. It makes no difference: a dog is a dog. I’ve had five dogs in my life and they all offered the same magnificent gift: unconditional love. Take on the responsibility for the care of your dog, and whether you’re arriving or leaving, give your dog a hug. In return, you will receive devotion and love like you never imagined. This, too, is important.

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D evelop friendships with two, three, or more people who, like your flower garden, come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Be with your friends, as if you were in a temple, where every word and thought are deemed sacred. Freely share gentle hugs while you experience your friends’ happiness and sit with their pain. Learn to share your love with the glance of an eye or the touch of a hand.

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At times, the temptation to veer from this path will be strong, and some friends may pull away. The currents of instant gratification are powerful. Although they’re nice -- the expensive house, flashy cars, designer clothes and other such yearnings -- they don’t match the love found in your flower garden, dog, or best friend. Shun the ways of the noisy parrots who seemingly know what’s best. Listen to your heart and continually question yourself. When you’ve found all the answers, you’ve lost your way.

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