Bing Bang Booms

That's what my younger sisters used to call fireworks when they were children. The nickname stuck when we were trying to describe to a one year old what all the noisy scary bright lights were about. We got her laughing at the alliteration and she stopped being so afraid.

Why is it that we celebrate our Independence with a fake battle in the air? That's sure what it looks like! Between the smoke and the gunfire sounds, you would think you were in the middle of a battle if you didn't know better.

I was surprised at Sugar's reaction. When the fireworks began, we couldn't see the lights, we could only hear the booming and popping sounds. She perked up her ears and looked at me questioningly. The rest of the dogs in the building were howling already. But Sugar wanted to go out and see what the hubbub was all about. I obliged. She sniffed about, looking this way and that, scratching the grass and rolling about in the cool evening dew. After awhile, she lost interest and we headed back inside.

I was happily watching the fireworks shows from DC, Boston and NYC when someone near our complex began setting off fireworks that made very loud bangs. Sugar raced to the kitchen and tried to climb on the table, then she raced to the living room window, jumping on the mini trampoline. Back and forth she raced, growling and whining. Nothing I said calmed her down, so I just let her run.

Her frenzy lasted a good twenty minutes before she finally buried herself in her blanket, her paws covering her eyes, her tongue hanging out in a rapid pant. I spoke soothingly and she finally calmed down. She still jerked her head up and stared at me with every loud sound, as if to say "Make it stop!"

Of course, she was in no danger. The fireworks were all noise and color and smoke, nothing injurious. But Sugar had no way to understand that. I often wonder if the good Lord isn't watching us race around in a panic over stuff that is all bluster and no harm, waiting for us to calm down because really, we are in no danger. If only we could understand things from his perspective, we would see when there is no need for concern, and sit back, and enjoy the show!

I think eventually Sugar understood that since I wasn't panicking, she could trust that things would be OK, and that the other dogs were in a stew because their owners were out watching the fireworks up close and not there to let them know everything was cool. They say that most of the things we worry about never materialize. Maybe if I could just keep my eyes on the One who acts on my behalf, I would worry much less and enjoy life much more.