days like today

i've written posts like this before.  perhaps with the very same title.  the feelings are always the same.  today i had so many great experiences and interactions before it was even 8am.  days like today are what i like to call "sunny days" thanks to the weepies.  in no way am i referring to the weather.  today particularly is overcast and seems the rain will begin at any moment but for me the world is a sunny place.

i shared my morning workout with our pup, Goose.  Goose is often considered overzealous, hyper, crazy, etc.  but he is also an obedience school graduate and with the proper guidance continues to amaze me and make me proud and happy.  this morning i might have even shed a tear when he walked quietly next to me instead of pulling me down the sidewalk.  this dog is amazing.  i love him.  my heart swelled with joy even more when we encountered a beautiful pit bull in his own fenced front yard.  Goose loves other dogs but can sometimes be too excited to meet them.  he calmly walked up to the fence, he and the pit bull licked each other through the fence and we were then on our way.  i was happy and proud.  three houses down from the pit bull there was a tiny, elderly dog on it's own porch barking at us.  Goose stopped, at which point he would typically whine excessively and pull me to the dog.  not today.  today i asked Goose to "leave it" to which he immediately responded and we were again on our way.  incredible.  his biggest temptation in all world and he listened when i asked him to leave it.  i was proud and happy.

next was my bike ride to work.  when i come into work early the same crossing guard is always working the crossing at the elementary school on 12th street.  he waves at every car that passes every single day.  i've never gone to work a day and seen him without a smile.  this morning i rang my new bike bell as i approached him and his gigantic smile grew even bigger and he pointed at me with pure joy.  he might tell people this crazy bell-ringing cyclist made his day but i would argue that he made mine.  thank you mr. crossing guard.  tomorrow i'll stop and ask your name.