Blog #552: Riding Extra Tall Horses

A month ago…

I shared a blog about a homeless woman I’d said
“Hi!” to 100 times…but she never answered back.

Until one day she did.

For those who didn’t read Big Suitcase. Cute Dog…

I was startled when she finally returned my greeting:

“Nice to see you, too. Thank you for always saying hello.”

Well…

The story continues.

______

Every day since then…

She’s said “hello.”

We’ve even had a few good talks.

Because of the growing California heat…

I take her cold drinks and ice cubes for her dog’s water bowl.

She’s grateful to receive.

I’m grateful to give.

However…

A few days ago…our roles reversed.

______

For anyone who has read my blog over the last eleven years…

You know I have two awesome Chihuahuas (a brother and sister) named “Amicus” and “EMi.” They’ve been my world’s greatest friends…and I love them as hard as my heart was made to love.

BUT for the last few years…

Health hasn’t been on Amicus’ side. He has a bad heart. We’ve had a couple of scary moments, but we’ve also had a giant miracle along the way.

And THEN…

This ferocious heat wave hit us in California.

Even where I am, near the ocean in Marina del Rey, where usually summer weather finds its way to a notch under 80…the current heat has been nasty. We’ve been struggling with temperatures up to 95 degrees.

That’s no big deal for me…

but for a little dog with heart problems…it’s an EXTRA big deal.

His panting and the stress on his heart has been brutal.

______

Life is so often about timing…good and bad.

The weather in Marina del Rey has never required using the air conditioner.

Until now.

And mine went out.

It’s over $10,000 to replace the AC unit…and for something never used…well, you fill in the blank. Plus, of course…with the heat now being extraordinarily out of control… there’s a waiting list to even have it replaced.

Until this crazy heat breaks…

Keeping “Amicus” cool is my mission 24-hours a day.

______

Now back to my homeless friend.

When the heat started its climb to insanity, she asked me how Amicus was doing. She knows about his heart.

I felt like a privileged jerk telling a homeless person that I was in a desperate mode to keep him cool because the air conditioner went out…but she cared to know…so I dared to tell her my truth.

In total sympathy she responded, “Make an air conditioner.”

“In front of the fan, put a tray of ice cubes…tip it up, and let the air hit it…and the room will get cooler.”

I never knew this.

I never even took a moment to think about it.

But my “self-made air conditioner” has been a created miracle.

______

Five days after her shared wisdom…

Eight daily cold baths, three blowing fans (with ice)… and I’m succeeding in keeping Amicus’ pant down. Our stress is still high, but we’re hanging in there.

A giant truth is, however…

Without one homeless person’s caring wisdom…

I’m not sure our luck would be this lucky.

______

People judge people easily.

I judge easily.

We sit on extra tall horses thinking we know so much.

But it’s fake thinking.

Every person we meet has something valuable they can teach us.

Every person in the world offers us a difference-making lesson to learn.

We just have to get off our extra tall horses, keep our mouths shut, let our ears do their thing…and allow our brains and hearts to be receptive to learning.

______

Currently…

Humanity has a HUGE problem with too many people riding extra tall horses.

But you and I don’t have to.

And I’m extra glad I got off mine.

Because in doing so…

A homeless woman helped me walk with my best friend a little longer.