2024 NATIONAL MEDAL
for Museum and Library Service Finalist

Adults

Furever Friends

We were worried when our dog sitter Maxie got a tiny puppy named Teddy. Our dog Magenta barks a lot at unfamiliar dogs. So Maxie introduced them slowly, keeping Teddy in a pen. The dogs sniffed each other. No barking! Magenta was curious; not upset. They became friends. Once Magenta even pulled a blanket over Teddy while he slept on Maxie’s lap. Now the pups twirl and jump when they see each other.

What She Didn’t Say

“What do you do?” he asked, just as her daughter snatched a book from another child, triggering tears. She swooped in, murmured apologies, returned the book, soothed both kids. “I’m... a stay-at-home mom,” she said, brushing hair from her face. It felt true, but not whole. Her mind still burned with ideas, plans paused but not gone. Someday, she’d say more. For now, this mattered most. But the pause? The pause held everything.