Since Cole was just a wee babe, he has accompanied me on my daily walks with Tucker. We are so lucky to live a stone's throw from a big park with both paved and dirt trails as well as nearby soccer fields and large grassy expanses. Cole now knows where the paths are that are less traveled and loves to run ahead with Tucker. He also knows from years of walking with me that in good weather I take an extra bag and pick up trash along our journey. It makes me irate to see soda cans and candy wrappers strewn amongst the wildflowers. It upsets me even more to see garbage scattered throughout the playground and picnic pavilions when large green trashcans are but a step away. I have verbally commented out loud that these things make me angry and hoped that I was showing him with my actions that we many times need to go the extra mile to make up for the selfishness of others.

When the last of the snow melted back in early March (two months earlier than usual), the park unveiled all the litter that had been under cover for the winter. This year, Cole wanted his own bag to fill and he has been eagerly keeping an eye out for plastic bottles and other items that I allow him to pick up. One day recently as we were out walking Cole says "mom, we are talking about Earth Day at school and you know what, I got to tell my class that I'm keeping the earth healthy because I pick up trash when we walk Tucker!". He was sooo proud of himself, he beamed from ear to ear. I hope that as he gets older that he remains strong in acting upon and defending the things that he knows are right and good no matter that those around him might think differently (or indifferently).