I woke up this morning after a particularly bad dream. I tried to doze back off but my aging body insisted it was time to use the bathroom again so I slowly got up. My back felt as tight as a drum. I stretched and twisted and heard the ususal “Crack! Crack! Crack!” I stumbled into the bathroom, did my business, and then went over to the sink to get a sip of water. I stared at the face in the mirror. In the half light of dawn and without my glasses it looked really OLD. I remembered the saying: “Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the heck happened.”

I slowly walked back into my room and lay down on my bed. I closed my eyes to get a little more sleep but was too awake already. After a few minutes of just laying there I sighed and sat up. I swung my feet down to the floor and felt something warm and furry under them. My newest rescue pup, Sweetie was napping there. All of the sudden I felt a cold, wet tongue licking my toes. I laughed, picked her up, and got a slurp on the chin and a wet willy in the ear for my reward. I laughed again, put her down and got dressed to take her for her morning walk.

As soon as we got outside I could see the pink and purple clouds of an early Summer sunrise. What a sight! It made me feel loved. It made me feel cherished. It made me feel part of something far greater than myself. It made me feel YOUNG! I smiled and thanked God for the gifts of a beautiful sunrise and a puppy’s love. I realized something in that moment too: “You are never too old to start feeling young.”

These bodies we drive around on this planet may age, but WE don’t. We are eternal. We are forever young. We are Children of God sent here to laugh, learn, and love. May you always feel young at heart then. May you always drink deep from the fountain of youth that is Love!