February 18, 2022

If you look closely, you will see an old lady's foot tucked securely under a crescendo of white fur. Often these days Roman finds his way to where I am and carefully adjusts himself for maximum contact with my foot without making either of us uncomfortable. I have come to think of this position as our "sharing deep thoughts" time.

Roman seems to be exploring the various manifestations of "connection" with others that range from letting Diva close the boundary line distance between them to sleeping soundly within inches of Zsofia's face. 

Of course, Opal has never recognized "Roman Rules" about intimacy as she touches noses, sniffs him, dances up against his flank, and pushes him to be playful. I truly believe that she is responsible for building his ease which now allows these new steps.

I take advantage of our sharing time to carry a continuing conversation about change and how his progress warms my heart. We talk about how things have changed...since he arrived...the difference of Steve working from home...the passing of White Dog...his views about adding to our family. 

His honesty shouldn't surprise but his willingness to push himself into new situations does. "If we go slow, momma, and you are close at my side, I think I am ready to take a more participatory part in our family," he tells me. "But I might not always get it right away and I may get scared so everyone must be patient and understanding." I promise him we will not leave him without options or a safety net and that I don't think he is ready to just leap into "the deep end of the pool". "We will ALL take our cue from you; except maybe Opal," I tell him and we laugh.  

I wiggle my toes against his side (another new thing he allows) and remind him, "time and love, Sweet One, time and love."