We all have days when we go about life on "auto-pilot."  Challenges of all sorts seem, on those days, to be too heavy and rather than resolve them, we set them aside and behave responsibly. 

Our mind knows that the economy will get better, that we can exercise a bit more and fit into those jeans, that if we bake another cake and nobody slams the door it'll rise just fine . . . Our emotions do sometimes get the best of us, though, don't they?  This doesn't happen all the time, but we all know that it DOES happen.  Our hope gets lost in a sea of "gotta go" and "gotta do" and sometimes we spin out of control for a time. 

 Not long ago, on one of "those" days I did rush about doing all the sensible things.  I didn't stop to think because that can get me in trouble on those sorts of days. 

Finally, in the darkness of mid-evening, I finally got home.  I pulled into the driveway wishing I'd left the outdoor lights on, but knowing  I'd been out and about all day . . . and I sat a moment trying to motivate myself to lug in my groceries, have a drink, and turn in for the night.  Willing myself not to stop and "think."  I opened the door to my car and life came bouncing into my lap.  Scared the heck out of me, too, at first but I quickly recovered and began to laugh.  I realized a small dog whom I had never met somehow mistook me for his "mama" and had jumped into my car and begun to shower me with kisses. 

 That was a while ago and he and I have never met since.  Was it a puppy angel sent from above?  Was it a lost pup from the next block?  I don't know and may never be certain, but one thing is for sure.  Sometimes HOPE has long furry ears, an eager and sloppy wet tongue, and a rapidly wagging tail!!