Life Saver

It may be a stretch to say that the collision of our family and Jackson may have been a life saver, but let me try to explain it.

Recently, I found out that my brother was diagnosed with diabetes. Fortunately, he caught it earlier enough to where change of diet and some medication should keep it under control. But this disease is common on our mom's side of the family. So, I guess this news was not a huge surprise but a huge shock.

In my life, I have been lucky to come across some wonderful people who have had an influence on my life. There is no better way I could express it than quoting the lyrics from a song written for the musical "Wicked" called "For Good."
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better.
I do believe I have been changed for the better.

Because I knew you

I have been changed...

For good".

Music and lyrics were written by composer Stephen Schwartz

There has been no person who has entered my life who had influenced me that my sweet wife. And our kids are such a great influence on me too. My daughter, so talented and gifted, got physically fit in her 20s, became a vegetarian and has remained healthy and fit by exercising and diet for well over a decade. My son, so smart and funny, has been active for a while now, but recently had the strength of character to become fit. So he runs several times a week. My wonderful and brilliant wife has always been healthy. I used to be jealous of her that she could eat whatever she wanted and maintain her teenage like figure. In reality, she just eats right. Always has. She loves veggies, eats the right portions of healthy food. She seems to always know when to stop eating - even sweets. 

When she heard about my brother, she took it upon herself to make sure I changed how and what I eat because she loves me and wants to keep me around for awhile. I just love her. 

So what does any of this have to do with Jackson?

Our trainer at Petco always advocated that we take Jackson for walks in the morning and another in the afternoon - each for about an hour.  My wife has been doing her part. Most days, she's walked with Jackson for at least a half hour or so. 

When Jackson wants to go on a long walk, he grabs his leash to let us know

I was off from work a few days a couple of weeks ago and no longer had any excuse not to walk with my wife and Jackson.  And many days I have. I actually looked forward to doing so some mornings. 

Jackson usually forgets his "loose leash" training until he starts to tire out. Then he walks the rest of the way without pulling too much.

Unfortunately, my wife's knee was acting up and didn't feel good enough to walk, so Jackson and I went on our own.  I noticed that Jackson got use to the loose leash deal sooner. I listened to the music that I love on my shuffled playlist. The song I quoted before randomly played. Somehow,  my mind shifted to deeply listening to these lyrics and thinking about those people in my life who have made me who I am...the people who were there when I needed them the most; my family, my friends and especially my wonderful wife.

I am very grateful and very blessed.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie.