I just passed the half-way point of my leave from work. Three months seemed like such a long time. Ninety days sounded even longer. But nevertheless half of it has slipped into history. Epic history–regardless of what I accomplish. Epic because no matter what, it was something I needed and something I was brave enough to pursue, and lucky enough to be afforded it by my employer. Though I vacillate between wondering if I’m doing everything I hoped I’d do and embracing the journey, I’ve enjoyed every single second of my freedom from any schedule other than my own.

That my decisions and whims pretty much only impact me (and Kallie) has felt a little like being in a comfy cocoon. I think being able to do things or not doing things on a whim is a vestigial reaction to when my schedule wasn’t my own; when medications, treatments, doctors appointments, and countless loving visitors rightly ruled my days and my nights.

I’ve also just passed the one-month marker since Kallie padded into my apartment and into my heart. (Awwwwwww!) In so many ways, getting her is a gleeful metaphor for the unexpected things in life that happen (of the good kind) where adjusting and improvising keeps you on your toes. Where bleary-eyed moments, stumbling for the leash inevitably lead to ones where I can’t help but smile at some ridiculousness she has perpetrated with complete abandon. I know I wouldn’t have been as patient with her puppy needs if I had to get up for work two hours later.

We started obedience school last night. I think both of us had some trepidation about going. So many unknowns for a “what if” papa and puppy who is only familiar with a tiny chunk of the world (an apartment and yard on the northside of Chicago.) But as soon as we arrived, and I laid eyes on all the other parents and their pups, who were all feeling pretty much the same as I was my mind was eased. Before we began training, the puppies had play time together. (I can’t believe I forgot my phone at home so I couldn’t take any pictures!) It was fun to see them frolic. I hope that happens before every class. Kallie did great and wasn’t “that kid” who peed on the floor (this week, anyway.)

I’m curious to see if this time off will leave me a different kind of person than I was when it greeted me. Though quick thoughts of returning to work have begun popping up in my head before being consciously banished, it’s a sign, I think, that I’m slowly getting ready to re-enter the work-a-day world, and the world-at-large that I haven’t been interested in for so long.

In the meantime, I continue to work on my writing projects, and enjoy Kallie.