A Lifetime of Kindness
He sets up a camp on the lawn with many of the comforts of home, within inches of the drum circle. Early in the day he spreads out blankets on which he arranges an array of musical instruments like shakers and drumsticks and cowbells. He brings out bags of free pastries and bread from the food pantry that he’s brought for the drummers. He prepares generous bundles of sweet incense and he sticks them in the ground right where the grass meets the pavement, where later they will perfume the drum circle and make the place smell like a church.
He has a little gold-colored dog that he treats like a person. Someone listening to him who didn’t know better might think he was talking to a spouse or a roommate. The dog rides in an elaborate stroller arrangement with decorations and a shady awning and a small official-looking California license plate with the dog’s name on it, “Sam.” Also on display is a big color picture of the little dog mounted on cardboard, and a hand-lettered sign that says, “Little D and Sam Dog, 25 Years at Drum Circle”
“Little D” is short for David. He probably got the nick name so people could tell him apart from some other David at the drum circle at that time. At first I thought he was homeless because of the packed stroller, but he recently got a state-subsidized room, after living outside for years. He almost moved out because he thought the noise in the crowded building scared the little dog.
He’s not young and not very tall, but his enraptured dancing adds so much to the drums. Like a man half his age he moves and leaps with awesome strength. At first I thought he looked a little wild, sort of like King David dancing uninhibited around the Ark of the Covenant. But when he made ecstatic prayers out loud right in the drum circle, bringing the drums to a new level, he won me over.
His weather-worn face seems to be always smiling, showing the marks of a lifetime of kindness. As we sit on his blanket he offers me a swig from his bottle of pop and a food pantry cupcake. He tells me how he and his friends rescued almost two hundred dogs from a container in China, bound for the meat market, and found homes for them. He puts on sunglasses and teases he has to wear them to keep away all the girls who want him because of his baby blue eyes.
Little Sam Dog gets out of the stroller wearing his official-looking dog coat that says “SECURITY.” He greets the drummers like a master of ceremonies as they arrive, his plump little body waddling from one to the other around the circle. Then as the drums start he lies down and makes himself comfortable on the pavement right inside the drum circle. He seems to enjoy the music. Its loud sounds don’t seem to bother him as people dance around him as if acknowledging the life force in him.
❦❀❦❁❧❀❧
Comments
12 responses to “A Lifetime of Kindness”
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand
new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with
valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive
job and our entire neighborhood will likely be thankful
to you.
I like looking through a post that will make
men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!
I’m no longer certain where you’re getting your information, but
good topic. I needs to spend a while learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for great information I was on the lookout for this
info for my mission.
Hey very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if
you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, regards.
Good site! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and well-written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website genuinely stands out : D.
I was suggested this web site by way of my cousin. I’m not sure whether or not this is written by him as nobody else understands my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
I have been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made
good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided
to browse your website on my iphone during lunch
break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great blog!