Who says there’s no such thing as a free ride? Last week before the last of the puppies went to his new home, he was playing with the puppy we are keeping. Our puppy was sitting on a towel and the other little guy had the towel in his mouth pulling it across the laundry room floor. Since puppies don’t know about taking turns, it looked like a free ride to me.

This little episode made me start to wonder about the “free ride” phrase. I believe we get many free rides in our lifetime, but perhaps we just don’t see them as such. For example, someone held a shower at my home several weeks ago. It’s one of the few times when I’ve been able to literally sit in the back row, since I didn’t know the guests, and just enjoy myself. I didn’t have to be the life of the party or the charming hostess. It was a real treat. I think it was a free ride! I was able to ride on the bride’s veil tails and remember my own shower some 42 years ago. I also got to listen to whispers from other women about their own special times. It made me wonder if the back seat promises more enjoyment and meaning than the front. Is that where you have to be for a free ride? I think I shall try it again.

When a friend shows me a new wire or torch technique or someone at a design meet up shares an idea, is that a free ride?  They don’t ask for anything in return and I don’t have to contribute if I gave all my creativity at the office. Most of the  designers with whom I spend time are totally unselfish and share things for the sheer joy of it . . . a free ride.

. . . and the puppies? It’s blue bliss around here since we now have just the one pup we are keeping. While I was blue to see the other six leave for new homes, I feel blissful about their placements. Now I can have my laundry room back and things will begin to return to normal . . . whatever that is.

Keep your eyes out for that “free ride”. Perhaps you’ve had one recently and just didn’t recognize it. If you can’t find one, why not give one?