Unspoken Acknowledgement

I guess I think about things way too much.
Sorry if it seems like this blog turns to rambling. I guess that's kind of what it's for...

I'll try to make this short. I know it's easier to read something you can see the end of.
Lots of things happen when I'm walking my dog.
Today, I was walking our neighbor's dog, Murray.
And I quite honestly wouldn't be blogging about this if I hadn't been.

I've been walking Murray for a few weeks now because our neighbor has been in the hospital. His wife is usually gone all day at work, then goes straight to visit him there afterwards. So I take this cute little maltese for walks in the morning and afternoon, when I'm not at work.

And I didn't realize how much difference it made 'til today. As the sun glazed over the neighborhood, I pulled my feet down the sidewalk. I was tired, and I was hot, and I didn't feel like I was completely there, so it did kind of catch me a little off-guard. As I passed the aged-green house, the door opened and our elderly neighbor came out.

Now, you should know something. I seldom see anything go on in this house. I always see them mowing their lawn, or putting out their trash, or driving in or pulling away, but I never see anything going on inside. The curtains in the front window are generally drawn, and when they are open, all you can see is a simple centerpiece on the sill, and an empty wall behind it. So, yes, I was a little surprised when he opened the door and walked out. And yes, a little more surprised to find that he had actually come out to talk to me.

"You still have that other little dog of yours too, right?"
I looked down at Murray and realized what he was getting at.

"Oh, yes! We still have Annie! This is just our neighbor's dog."

I explained to him about their situation and why we were helping out.

"Well, that's good. I just hadn't seen her in a while is all. I enjoy seeing that dog; she's a character!"
I talked to him for a little while longer, then he went back inside and I kept walking. A grin kind of spread across my face for the rest of my walk with Murray. I couldn't help thinking about it.

I don't think I ever really realized how often the little things really do matter. I didn't realize my neighbor loved seeing our dog. For me, I just walked by their house every day and never even thought about it. MY dog brings JOY to another person's life. Who would've thought (especially my dog of all animals....haha.)!?

Man, I often miss so much! If only I would stop and think when I'm going about my day--stop to realize that people still do pay attention to what goes on in my life.

Stop and think.

The world doesn't always ignore you. People aren't always self-absorbed. They don't always care about just themselves. Even though you may feel like you could never command the attention of the world, people do notice you. Even though no one may ever say anything to you, you may still be impacting them in some way. And for all you know, it could be a HUGE way. So think about everything that you do, and everything that you say.

You do make a difference.
And people acknowledge your existence every day.
Even if it's just unspoken acknowledgement.