4 Years Old

4 years old!  That’s 48 months and Holly has been with us for 46 of them (her first 2 she was with her mama!)  Four years is a standard time to finish a college degree, a typical term of a bumper to bumper warranty for some vehicles and the scheduled length of a presidential term.  Time has always baffled me – how its speed being so constant, measurable and predictable can still go so fast at times and slow during others.  

There isn’t too much about Holly that is slow.  Her energy, excitability and playfulness have had impact on the clock.  Time goes by fast with Holly.   I was told – ‘once a golden turns one, they become a different dog’.  They then extended that to turning two.  Noone dared say a word at the three year old mark.  Now at four, we are teetering!  There are signs of maturity happening!  There are less occurences of company experiencing lap lunging, shoulder wrapping and body bulldozing. Gracie has been chased less and indeed is starting to take naps with Holly.  Helen has been flipped less often with a swapping paw.  And Holly herself has decided that she now needs to have her hind quarters lifted into the car.  It’s just too big of a jump.  Age has not had affect on her love for balls, frisbees and toys, nor for her love to play and tease. 

Birthdays are big deals around here.  We’ve had a number of celebrations this Fall/Winter.  I stuffed Holly’s gifts into a covered box, making a bit of a big deal about it.  On her birthday eve, I placed the box on the fireplace mantle – selfishly enjoying the payback from all the teasing she has enjoyed at my expense!   Holly spent much of the evening parked in front of the fireplace, her eyes burning a whole through the box.   Morning came, and together we walked the unopened box to the car.  We were heading to the Harvey House.  Party time! 

Holly has never been short of toys in her 4 years of living.  Just a few days ago, Lana had given Holly a new stitched turtle that became her new best friend such that it ended up in bed that night.  When we got home from the Harvey house and unloaded today’s new toys, she was using her long legs to sweep the toys together and hold them in a bundle.  She resembled the robovacuum sweeping up dirt.  Everyone deserves to feel special and what better day than your birthday to magically be reminded of that. 

It’s been a special week in other ways.  Lanny, Mary, Lana & DeeAnn were all here for a chicken pot pie brunch (thank you Costco) and some awesome apple crisp bars (thank you Mary!).   After we went to the NorShor Theatre to watch the Broadway musical – Disney’s Frozen.  All of us were blown away by the performance!  Let it Go, Let it Go, Let it Go – soon became a new mantra around the house as I am doing my own version of sweeping in toys and holding them in a bundle!  

Magically, I am filled with gratitude as I do!