A dog named Puppin

Do any of you have these memories from way back in your childhood when your mom or your dad, or grandpa or grandma did something that was really cool and really meaningful, and it is something that has stuck out with you in your head through all the years?

I have funny memories from my childhood. I remember my dad sitting in the chair waiting for me to come home from a date.

He was usually in the dark.

I was usually past curfew.

Things weren't pretty from there.

I knew I was loved and cared for and I am sure Little Girl's daddy will be perched in a chair one day too. In the dark. Waiting for the princess to arrive home safely from a night on the town (ya know - when she is 27 and only on a double-date and only with someone whom we know the whole family VERY WELL. Right? Right.)

Anyhoo.

I remember things like Easter Egg Hunts at my grandparents house and making up plays in the basement at their house with all my cousins and performing for the family like we were broadway stars.

I remember laying on my mom's lap in church while she scratched my back. AHHH! I loved that.

I remember my sister sticking up for me when my friends were being, well, girls, and quite snooty, and also when my brother would get mad at me and get too rough and injure me in some way and then tenderly say how sorry he was and ask if I was o.k.

It's Little Girl's childhood now, and Daddy is creating a cool memory every day with Little Girl that is warming me to my core. He has found something to do with her that she thoroughly enjoys and he gets to use all those creative talents floating up there in that RIGHT brain of his.

He has started making up stories for her every day. SHE LOVES THIS! He started telling her stories about a little puppy and the tales of this puppy's adventures. He always brings some "lesson" home in each story and is trying to teach her about obedience through this. Little Girl told daddy the other day that she wanted to name the doggy "puppin" and thus, a heroic character was created.

I got my hair cut and colored today ($125 later. OUCH! I was misinformed of the cost and nearly tossed my lunch when I wrote the check. 'Nother Story.) and I arrived back in the car just in time to be a part of yet another story of a doggy named "puppin" and how he obeyed his mommy by not jumping the fence and was rewarded with a bright and shiny new bone at the end. I watched Little Girl's eyes as daddy weaved in messages of obedience and respect into this wonderfully written fairy tale.

I love this new and special memory that is being created.

I also hope that Little girl will one day be telling her little kiddos about a dog named "puppin".