Roxy likes to keep to herself mostly at our house. She spends most of her time on the back deck watching. She makes note of the animals that cross over through the creek area and barks when a deer, squirrel, or chipmunk gets too close to the fence. She tolerates Millie and Archer when they are sent outside to take care of business but is glad when they return inside and she has her alone space again. She invites us to be OK being alone in a space. To be quiet and breathe deeply and process life for as long as you need to. She has been through quite a lot in her 10 years and has a lot to process.
We don’t need to share everything. When you have a bone to pick with someone. When you have something that is just yours. When you have something you need to chew on for a bit and you are not really going to be ready to share it, ever…. It’s OK to keep it to yourself. It’s OK to hold onto a truth that is yours especially if sharing it might cause more controversy than needed at the time. There will be other things to share but you don’t have to share everything.
Respecting each other’s space can be a hard thing to do but sometimes it is a most gracious gift. To be seen and to see others in a quiet and respectful manner can be so healing.
~Lydia Patrick
