Why is it that we always think our dogs or kids are the most misbehaved, our homes the messiest? This morning I visited my friend’s house to help take Christmas pictures of her dog. As her schipperke and Chihuahua/dachshund mix ran about the house, my friend kept telling me how her schipperke would need to calm down before I could snap a picture. She saw a wild beast I saw a little clown. When she brought out treats he even sat on his hindquarters and begged. When I brought Waffles to a dinner party, my friends said they saw no sign of the Tasmanian Devil I had spoken about. They probably wouldn’t think she resembled Gollum much either. Often, I have walked in to a friend’s house and had them apologize for the mess when I saw nothing but a lived-in home. People in stores and restaurants often apologize to me for their kids peering over the booth or darting around the corners, all the while I am engaged in a game of peek-a-boo with them. We worry too much when all around us the things we worry about are not signs of our inadequacy, but testaments to a full life. So, rejoice in the whirling and the spinning, the darting and the clutter. Most people probably aren’t noticing it and to some, it may even bring a gentle smile or a happy laugh.