This is my granddaughter Laila with her new best friend, the little Sato dog, Sadie.  Note the heart on her back.  Sadie is settling in, learning not to cringe at sudden sounds, not to duck her head when we stoop to stroke her.  Sadie is rescued from Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico by The Sato Project.  Watching her blossom is a lesson in resilience, in the strength of spirit, and in willingness.  Laila is a dog whisperer herself and seems to know what kind of love medicine Sadie needs.  She is already versed in the beautiful circle of giving and receiving.  That is what I am learning from her, from Sadie and from my family.

I witnessed a lot of that same resilience from my autistic godson Jacob and his family last week when I was on the Vineyard with them.  Each one in their own way has mastered the practice of beginning again, of being in the moment, of moving with grace and lightness from moment to moment.  More about that tomorrow.