Off in the distance I can hear the drone of the cars moving
speedily down the freeway. I think when
it is cold out, like it is this morning, the sounds are more crisp and
clear. I’m sipping warm coffee and
contemplating the week I had. After
dinner and some Christmas shopping last night, we listened to Christmas
music. My memory was flooded not with
pictures and words but a myriad of feelings so intense. It was truly beautiful.
As I sit here quietly tapping away on my keyboard, I can
hear the buzz of cell phones in the house, social media and push notifications
starting early. Isn’t it simply amazing
how physically we are connected now?
Within minutes, we know just exactly what is happening in some other
part of the world so very far from where we are.
My little kitten yawns and stretches as my newly become
adult child, who forgot to go to sleep in her own room last night, snoozes away
so peacefully. I relish the quiet time
of the morning before my family starts moving.
It is peaceful and I can reach with my mind and being out into the world
as if to send it the very best thoughts I can muster. I’m grateful in this moment to be sitting in
my home, that I have a home and with sleeping family, that I am also so very
grateful to have.
Such a busy day we have today but I don’t have to think
about that now. I can continue to listen
to the comforting sounds coming from the free way off in the near
distance. So many people coming and
going, moving and thinking. This place
is incredibly wonderful with all of the science and gadgets we have at our
finger tips. To be honest, I take some
things for granted.
I remember growing up, also not far from a very busy
freeway. In the wee hours of the
morning, I would listen to the cars while the sun came up. There were no social media push notifications
on cell phones buzzing about the house then.
The mourning doves would sing the sun up and there wasn’t coffee for me
then. Just wonder about the day would
hold. I didn’t think as much then but I
felt and what I felt was a strange peace and powerful energy that permeated
everything. I’d usually get up early,
dress quickly and head outside to climb the tall pine tree in the front
yard. I always tried to see the freeway
but I couldn’t quite get high enough. In
the branches of that tree I felt not only peace but a great comfort. To be cradled by a tree is magical.
My thoughts meander now to all the trees and homes lost in
the fires still burning in California.
It’s strange to me that we have a Fire Season. We’ve always had it and so many days, even as
I child, do I recall walking to school to see ashes floating through the air
like it was a normal and ordinary occurrence at this time of year.
Times have changed in so many ways. The Earth grows hotter in my little corner of
the world. It is December and we’re to
see 85 degrees today. Not very
Christmas-y. I suppose we’ll have to
just hold the spirit of it in our hearts and pray that all those of our
neighbors affected by this year’s fire season are ultimately safe. I ask for blessings now from the 4 directions
and I send them out across the globe.
May the peace and reverence surround all, may the love and wonder of the
world bring endless curiosity and gratitude for all of the wisdom of each of
our respective experiences in life. I
wish you joy this day and great blessings for all of the rest of your days.
Copyright 2017, Jaie Hart photo/words