It was difficult throughout the first few weeks of school. Mara had been quiet most of the time since kindergarten. During circle time, she would sit with her arms crossed and her gaze down on the rug. The educators made an effort. The other children made an effort. However, Mara simply didn’t open up. She was different at home—talkative, humorous, and inquisitive. However, she changed into this reserved, bashful version of herself at school. I also had no idea how to get in touch with her. The school counselor then gave me a call one morning. “Today, we’re attempting something…
Author: World Wide
Eli, my grandfather, served in Korea. But if you spent a day with him, you wouldn’t realize it. He didn’t mention it. Not on Veterans Day, not when our neighbors raised their flags, nor when we studied war in school. He would simply nod, grin, and shift the conversation. I honestly believed he wouldn’t be interested in the “therapy dog day” that the assisted living facility planned. Grandpa Eli was not a sentimental person. Yes, he was courteous, but loving? Not at all. The moment the golden retriever climbed into his lap, that changed. As if they had known each…
I never imagined that my son James would become a local celebrity after eating a box of doughnuts. It began simply enough: whenever a cruiser passed by, James would ask a ton of questions about the police officers. He requested that we bring a box of doughnuts to the station one Saturday morning as a token of appreciation for their efforts. Why not, I reasoned? After grabbing a few dozen, we set out. The officers were pleasantly delighted. When one of them made fun of him by calling him “Donut Boy,” James simply glowed. That moniker was a badge of…
It began as a nice costume concept. Since she witnessed a K9 demonstration at the county fair, my daughter Arlie has developed an obsession with police dogs. She therefore pleaded with me to assist her in dressing up as a K9 officer for Halloween, insisting that our German Shepherd puppy Shadow, who is also her greatest friend, portray her devoted partner. They couldn’t be separated. Arlie would put on her tiny uniform and “report for duty” every afternoon after school. She would march about the backyard, giving Shadow fictitious orders such as “Secure the perimeter!” and “Sniff for clues!” I…
Nolan, my kid, is reticent in public. He speaks slowly, and usually only in the presence of people he can trust. He brightens up in ways I can’t understand, though, when he’s with his golden retriever assistance dog, Hunter. At the city council meeting, we had no intention of speaking. All I wanted to do was be there, sit quietly, and express my support for the proposed service animal program funding. However, something changed as soon as we entered that room. When we walked in, those authorities in suits appeared to have made up their minds based on the way…
In a care home, you develop a rhythm. Most days, meals and conversations merge. Last week with Mr. Bernard was one of those unforgettable times. I was serving lunch plates to everyone in the dining room as usual. Mr. Bernard was alone by the window, looking exhausted, but I didn’t notice. I placed his favorite ravioli on the table and wished him a good meal as always. He hesitated, starring at the meal, then crumpled and cried. I worried, fearing the dish was bad or I had angered him. After I asked whether he was okay, he took a breath.…
This happened last Tuesday outside my monthly drugstore. Though my back hurts since surgery, I’ve hung the placard as instructed. I don’t like using it, yet long walks are no longer possible. Anyway, both disabled places were taken as I pulled in. One automobile was tagged. Neither did a bright gray SUV. Lacks placard and license plate indication. Sitting like the driver owned the place. Wishing someone was dropping off a passenger, I circled several times. Ten minutes. Nothing. I stepped inside slower than usual, trying not to wince. I asked the cashier whose SUV it was. They reported someone…
Nolan, my kid, rarely speaks. He speaks slowly and exclusively with trusted people. I can’t explain it, but he brightens up with Hunter, his golden retriever service dog. We didn’t plan to speak at city council. I wanted to sit quietly and support service animal program funding. When we entered that chamber, something changed. The way those suited officials stared down at their papers when we entered suggested they had decided. Nolan-like kids weren’t important. My stomach knotted. Nolan kept his face in Hunter’s fur, murmuring something only the dog could hear. A few smiled. Even one woman cried. The…
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Plan to Prevent Government Shutdown and Win Conservative Votes House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a two-pronged approach to keep the government operating while promoting budgetary restraint and major policy changes. The “Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act of 2024” addresses funding difficulties and provides a route forward for Congress to avoid a government shutdown. The 2-Step Method It seeks to extend government funding until two crucial 2024 deadlines. Most of the allocated monies will expire on February 2, 2024, while some on January 19, 2024, according the law. This structure would require Congress to…
