Trip To The Vet And Growing Like A Weed

We went to the vet Friday for round three of vaccines.  We have appointment in three weeks for another round.  I don't remember all these shots before, and I can't even pronounce the things he's being vaccinated against.  But then, there are an array of products like topical flea and tick treatments, heart worm and ear mites prevention that I don't remember particularly either.  Last dog I had, the dog was vaccinated, you got a flea and tick collar, found a fetching stick, and you were good to go.  Not any more.  Retractable leashes, plastic pooper bags in little plastic fire hydrants, organic puppy chow, and nylon chewing bones — the list just goes on.  

First time I took Prince to the vet, he weighed in at 11 pounds on the nose.  Three weeks later, he tipped the scales at just a hair under 18 pounds.  Despite appearances and all that sleeping (those mysterious bursts frantic puppy energy that has him racing circles around the room notwithstanding) this has been a hectic three weeks.  Though, on any given day, it would appear that nothing at all was happening.

Growth is like that.  We're never aware of it when it’s happening.  It's like trying to see the hands of a clock actually move.  I remember sitting in school at the end of the day, determined to see the minute hand move to the next hash mark, but I never could.  It always arrived but I never saw it get there.  It just was.  

Increasingly, my life is becoming like that.  And, I’m learning to trust those times when it seems like nothing is happening.  I may be feeling impatience, or boredom, or frustration at those down times.  But in soul terms, those down times often represent times of huge growth that I'm just not aware of yet. Until I'm faced with a challenge and find that I've miraculously grown to meet it.  The way the minute hand just arrived at 3 o'clock and the dismissal bell rang.  Or the way an 11 pound puppy hopped onto the scale and an 18 pound puppy jumped off.  

Right now, Prince is sleeping on the cool tile floor.  The minute hand imperceptibly circles the dial, dragging my life behind it.   Tremendous growth is happening all around me, and yes happening within me.  One day soon, I have no doubt, it will all be plain as day.