Four Puppies and Me

As seasons change, I think about one of my favorite children’s books, Four Puppies, a little Golden Book. I have a copy that belonged to Matt. I took it to school and read it to my kindergarteners after Matt outgrew it and I also read it to Sara and Nathan when they were small. I love that book! You parents and grandparents will remember that it’s a book of seasons.

The four puppies didn’t know anything about the great big world outside until they were old enough to leave their warm box by the stove and venture down the steps. It was springtime and then summer and they had such fun! But when fall came and the leaves fell off the trees, they were bewildered and tried to hold onto the leaves.

A friendly red squirrel in the hickory tree told them there was nothing to cry about, that winter was coming and they’d just have more fun than ever. And, he was right!

Each time the seasons changed, the four puppies were dismayed until at last they realized the seasons were like a wheel turning around and with each change, they changed too, growing and learning and they had more fun than ever.

Sometimes I try to hang onto things too and am sad when I see children growing past the cuddly stage, developing new interests and leaving their warm place by Mem’s hearth.  I hold onto old belongings that are no longer needed or wanted. Then, I remember The Four Puppies. Things change. People change. That’s our nature.

And, I look at myself. I’m still Mom and Mem but I’ve changed too. I’m also a mother-in-law and I have new friends I didn’t have when I was younger. I no longer teach but I have a new vocation–a writer of cozy mysteries and I love it! My family has grown up and gotten bigger and stronger and they are happy, learning people. Seasons in my life have changed and I’ve changed right along with them but I’m still Mom and Mem and MILly and you know what? I’m just having more fun than ever!