An Unusual Streak of Glory

I’m an odd duck. I’ve never claimed to be otherwise. I get excited over the smallest things. Like the little dance I did over the small brass rabbit I saw in the case at the thrift store. It was brown from years of neglect; tarnished and cast aside. Obviously I felt it was my duty to rescue it. My husband polished it up and now it sits in the windowsill for me to delight in every time I’m doing dishes. Since we do not have a dishwasher, I spend a lot of time at the sink.

Yesterday I found a picture of 2 unicorns glazed onto a slice of wood. Grant’s Farm is stamped on the back which obviously makes it very valuable. Instantly I began singing the theme song to “The Last Unicorn” I proudly carried it home and proceeded–much to my husbands horror–to hang it in my bedroom. We had a nice little debate about decor and color and “old junk” so I simply set it on my dresser instead. Evidently my husband’s taste in art is not as evolved as mine. I write all of this to illustrate that I not only have exquisite taste, my husband is the luckiest man alive. Some women want diamonds. I just want a 50% off sale at The Salvation Army.

I’m recovering nicely from my bout with bronchitis so this morning I hopped on my bike so I could enjoy the 60+ degree weather. The streets were wet and slick; a result of rapidly thawing cement and condensation. Wet streets terrify me because I had a fairly significant bike accident a few years back making a hard turn on wet asphalt. I was half tempted to turn around and go home, but then I saw the sky and felt the warm breeze. Like I was really going to waste it because of a little wet-street-phobia. As if! I pedaled and huffed my way up a few hills and waited for my lungs to constrict. They didn’t, so I pressed forward.

I really enjoy riding my bike because I’m having trouble walking with my bad knee and arthritic toes, but I don’t ever want to give up and go back to Hopelessville. Yesterday I had a conversation with a fellow at work in the break area. He is dealing with a tough diagnosis that is complicating his life. I channeled Pollyanna and told him to look on the bright side of things, it could be so much worse. I told him about the days I spent in the hospital following my sons diagnosis with Juvenile diabetes. Sure it was scary, but I told him straight up, “I was just so glad it wasn’t cancer. I have several friends who have lost children and at least I can manage diabetes.” He was kind and did not poke me in the eye(though I’m sure he wanted to). He said, “You’re right. But I just really want some chocolate!” Don’t we all, my friend? Don’t we all.

I was lamenting the extra 15 pounds I had to pedal up a hill when I looked over and saw one of my son’s favorite things, a cemetery. Yes, he is of the lineage of odd ducks. No, I do not encourage this morbid fascination. Still, because of his interest I can’t pass by a cemetery without looking at it through his eyes.

“Mom, where are the ghosts?”

“Mom, do you see any zombies?”

“Mom, can we go visit the cemetery?”

“Mom, I want to see a dead body.”

“Mom, you are so mean!”

So as I was riding past, I considered what a lovely place the cemetery can be. The sun was shining through the tree limbs and there were flowers near many of the graves. And for whatever reason, I thought about all of the people laid to rest there, and how their families must miss them, and how glad I am that none of them are popping out of their graves. Life is filled with so many beautiful things; the absence of the un-dead is certainly something to be celebrated.

But that is not what made this morning so wonderful. I was pedaling through one of my favorite parks when I looked up to see a wide expanse of dark wings. At first I thought it was a blue heron, but the absence of the long, loopy neck queued me to pay closer attention. The bird landed in a tree next to the trail and I gasped. It was the first time I had ever seen a bald eagle live and in person. It absolutely took my breath away. I suppose I really shouldn’t be such a nerd about it. After all, I know they hang out around the rivers in the winter. But did I act like a complete boob any way? Sure. I wobbled on my bike and shouted at a couple who were walking their dog, “Hey, did you see the bald eagle? There’s a bald eagle up in that tree! Look! Look!” And to my relief they didn’t scream, or run, or pull out any mace. They got excited too. And all I could think was, “What an unexpected streak of glory!” For I have never seen anything like that bird flying through the sky. It was truly majestic.

Yesterday I told the woman at The Salvation Army Store that I never want to grow up. I want to enjoy unicorns and rabbits. I want to ride my bicycle, and smile and wave at strangers. It makes me happy. That is why I keep a Holly Hobby picture in my cube at work that says, “The Time to be happy is now!” Dark thunderclouds have a tendency to rumble through my life, so when there is a break in the gloom, I celebrate. Dear reader, you should too.

On December 12, 2015   /   The Journey   /   Leave a comment