live your life

Nostalgia… Friendship… Change

Posted by Barbara Techel

Friday evening I had my annual Christmas get together, which includes a sleepover, with my dear friend, who I call Sistah V. She calls me Sistah B. Frankie didn’t always come with me to our get together’s, but because my husband John is a bit uncomfortable in expressing her bladder since her diagnoses of IVDD, I am fortunate to bring her with me to Sistah V’s.

 

Frankie and I in front of Sistah V’s Christmas tree, which I am always green with envy over how beautiful she decorates.

Sistah V had a challenging year going almost one year without a job. She is not married so she solely provides for herself. It was a scary time for her, though she handled it with dignity and grace. It was also a time of a welcome change in discovering more about herself. It was a pleasure to watch her blossom.

Her home is the home of her grandparents which she bought a few years ago. She has many fond memories as a young child visiting there. The house was built in the 1930’s. Many things the way they were then, are still there. Cabinets, light fixtures, etc. It is quite nostalgic and comforting being there. Many touches of nostagia every where you look which I share in photos below.

Sistah V had quite the year of change and so I was delighted to have found the perfect gift for her to reflect her journey this past year. A print by local artist, Cassy Tully. Cassy has a collection of paintings called Growing Trees. I chose the Change tree for Sistah V (photo of it below).  And here is the saying on the back:

As the seasons evolve, change occurs in our lives as well. It is important to find a peaceful place to grow. Although a time of change is turbulent, we can always see our vibrant reflection in still water.

The print and especially its meaning meant much to Sistah V and I’m glad it touched her.

The evening and next morning was filled with much joy, deep thoughts and reflection. Her home and being with her is one of my peaceful places to grow… and when one of us can’t see our vibrant reflection in the still water during a turbulent time, we are there to remind each other.

Onward and forward with the photo tour through Sistah V’s home. Wait till you see where she made our morning toast!

 

I loved how the light streamed across Frankie’s face as she sat in the kitchen doorway

 

Sistah V has many vintage treasures! 

 

Frankie “helping” Sistah V open her gift from me. Such a good little elf.

 

A few tears later Sistah V granted me permission to take this photo of her with her Growing Tree print

 

Helping with final touches on Sistah V’s Christmas tree while we listened to Christmas music. I couldn’t help think John Boy Walton would soon be knocking on the door and asking the sisters for the family secret recipe!  If you saw the movie, The Homecoming, this will make sense.

 

Vintage bunnies tucked in an unsuspecting spot that brought a smile to my face when I discovered them.


Sistah V’s branch tree. I helped add final acorn ornaments, icicles, and the one special squirrel.

 

Original fireplace to the home… complete with plug in logs and added leaf string of lights to act as burning embers. I love Sistah V’s creativity!  And Frankie believes with all her heart that the fireplace is warming her buns.

 

An older home can present challenges with not enough outlets when one is cooking up a holiday breakfast treat. So the coffee perculated in the dining room on the buffet and our toast was made in the bathroom. Gotta love it!

Sistah V’s home complete with nothing less than a touch of vintage cardboard cut out santa.

Miss Frankie & Miss Lyla- Best Friends Forever

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Miss Lyla visiting her BFF at a recent Bookworm Gardens Event

Miss Lyla will be three in January. She has known Frankie her whole life! Lyla’s mom Julie, is someone who came into my life because of my work with Frankie. She is an elementary teacher and one of the first teachers to book me for a Frankie presentation in her classroom. We were destined to be friends from the first day we met…

Julie saw in Frankie a therapy dog, which had been a dream of mine to have a therapy dog. She calmed my fears that just because Frankie was in a wheelchair didn’t mean she couldn’t pass the test to become certified. At the time she was a tester for Therapy Dogs Incorporated and worked with us so we could become a team, which happened in 2008. I’ll always be grateful to Julie for her belief in us.

In return Julie was able to take her mind off her disappointment of not having a baby for seven years. She had resolved herself to the fact that she may never have children, though this was hard for her. Frankie and I worked with Julie, visiting a nearby nursing home, to earn our certification, throughout the summer of 2008.

On our last visit to the nursing home, which was also our “graduation” day I noticed something different about Julie. With a glowing smile she said, “I’m pregnant.” What a gift to share in that moment with her. It only made our friendship even more special.

Julie’s beautiful daughter, Lyla was born in January of 2009. I dedicated one of the characters in Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House as Lyla, as well as Julie is featured in the book when we are going through the training process.

As Lyla has gotten older she has become good friends with Frankie. Today, Julie and I had lunch in my kitchen and Lyla got to visit with her BFF. Lyla told me that she likes it when Frankie smells her ears.  🙂

Every time Frankie makes a connection with a child it warms my heart to know she could be a part of their lives… but it is especially endearing and special because of the connection we all share together.

Miss Lyla and Miss Frankie hanging together at a recent Bookworm Gardens Event

Frankie’s Window to the World- Reflection of My Truth

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

The front door is usually reserved for Kylie, but every now and then Frankie squiggles her way up to the front eager to see what might be going on out in the world- well as far as she can see in our little corner of the world, that is.

Sometimes Kylie and Frankie snuggle together gazing into the yard. This always gives my heart a jolt of warmth. It is especially nice to see because for so long, Kylie just couldn’t seem to understand Frankie’s wheelchair. When Frankie is in her wheels Kylie acts as if Frankie is a toy and plays too rough. It made me sad that I had to separate them and couldn’t have them in the same room together. A little over a year ago I discovered that when Frankie is not in her wheels, Kylie treats her like any other dog and hanging out with her. That was a joyful paws moment when I discovered that!  Seeing them snuggling together warms my heart.

It also makes me smile when Frankie wants the full view out the front door to herself and Kylie kindly gives up her spot, so Frankie can enjoy it all to herself.

I love to watch Frankie and try to imagine what goes through that little head of hers.It is if she is a little Budda- just sitting and being. I suspect she does not worry about what tomorrow will bring, or has a clue of what a to-do list is, or worries about what is going on in the world. It is why I love to stop and sit in a few moments of her reflection to remind myself that I always have a choice to how I live each day of my life…and how I live my truth.

Frankie and Kylie are my constant reminders of that because animals just seem to naturally live their truth. A reminder  I welcome openly. It is how I pause and give thought…. to what is my truth and how I see the world and live within it…. My dogs, my husband Johnnie, my cozy little home, a few special friends, time with my mom, and work that has meaning to me…my truth…my world.