Arise anew

I sit in the final rays of this afternoon's beloved sunlight as Matthew throws the tennis ball and Smokey runs after it. Incredibly nimble and fast, the dog approaches the ball within seconds but he only stops it; he does not yet know to bring it back for fetch.

The pollen is thick on our patio set and everywhere else. Wiping it down does little to cease its spread across our yard or ourselves. And yet here we are, outside in this warm light and the neighborhood alive with birds and dogs and children. We have neighbors across the fence. When Smokey barks at them, someone barks back. An embarassed girl giggles and says, "Mom!"

Tennis balls, sun rays, pollen, the dog.

Refresh, spirit of mine. Allow yourself to heal.