Things that bring joy: Notes on a miracle
As I started on my walk last Sunday, it hit me: This is a miracle! All of it! The sky, the trees, the light, the squirrels, the chilly air.
I took notes.
Warm morning sunlight brushes the pavement and paints the bricks in gold, in light, in shadow.
Gingko trees tower overhead. Fallen leaves—precise, ribbed, yellow fans—form piles of gold aside the walkway.
Gingko trees have been around since the dinosaurs! They can live hundreds, maybe a thousand years.*
Breezes ruffle branches full of leaves, prompting leaf showers.
Poofy white clouds migrate across brilliant blue skies as if the glorious fall leaves weren’t sufficient! This too!
Backlit, cut-leaf Japanese maples glow lustrous in shades of red, yellow, light orange.
Tree leaves whisper, the wind whooshes, dried leaves race crackling across the street.
One large, perfect creamy orange rose, fully open, faces me above the walled garden.
A little girl—in white tights, red dress, and a flowered parka— walks hand-in-hand with her father, earnestly discussing…?
The copper-colored car with the “Mudita” license plate brings a smile to my face.
A little girl in a plum-colored jacket and leggings runs down the alley flat-footed after her mom, plop plop plop, water bottle dangling.
A crow caws in the distance, and I wonder, where are all the birds this morning?
A tiny black squirrel I’ve been seeing around lately hesitates as I approach my building, but he doesn’t run away. I bet he’s been seeing me around lately, too.
Home, invigorated, I sit curled on my couch with a hot cup of tea!**
May all beings be well, be happy,
Live with ease and peace.
* JoAnna Klein, The Secret That Helps Some Trees Live More Than 1,000 Years
**Traditional Medicinals Immune Zoom Lemon Ginger Tea — A most excellent tea!