I watched a slew of videos on the internet that portray dogs and deer and babies who enjoy being patted.  Even a lemur knows how to make his desires clear. There are no subtitles, but words would be superfluous anyway. When the patter stops, the dogs and deer and babies announce that they want more. Instead of syllables, they employ paws, noses, hands, eyes, and sounds to get the message across. 

It looks easy enough at face value. Know what you want and ask for it. But I confess that there are times when even that two step strategy feels too steep.

The other day Benjamin was playing his requisite three sound tracks at once, I was wrestling with a slow connection on the computer and the clutter on the couch mocked me. Then I heard squawking from the chickens. I rushed outside to check and the hens quieted down. I scooped up a few handfuls of their favorite scratch and tossed it into all three coops. The girls formed a wheel around the feast and began the tattoo of contented pecking. The sun was warm on my skin, and the air smelled deliciously of spring. I sat down and let out a deep breath. I couldn't have articulated it, but this was what I needed. 

Knowing what we would like is not a guarantee that you will get it. But not knowing makes it even less likely.