January 4, 2003

Yesterday was my yearly personal equinox. It happens at a different time each year, and to somefolks, it might seem odd. But I celebrate it each year as I drive (this year I am particularly greatful as I was not sure I would have a job to experience it with). It is the day on which I celebrate the sunrise and sunset in my truck. It is one of the small miracles that I try to see.

I watched the sun rise, turning the dark skies to pink and then blinding bright and then to cloudless blue. Hills went from shadows to materialize out of the greyness into warm greens and browns. It was cold and crisp, and I rolled down the window to catch the breeze. I added a little extra following room between the commuter in front of me and let a car in the "wrong lane" cut over and across to their exit. I spied the dots on a hill "one over" that I knew were cows. I thought of the people who have carried me on their shoulders to this place in time, and felt their blessings cascading about me. A pretty tipical morning drive, if somewhat more spiritual for catching the sunrise full tilt between hill tops. Later, I was delighted to find that I was leaving work and the sun was still out. The skies had a few clouds, but it was aglow all streaky orange and firey - like one of JoanMN's photos buring across the sky. A sunrise and a sunset - this is when I know that Spring will come. And I am reminded that though my bones will one day turn back to dust, and my atoms will scatter and recombine in another pattern, and even though the world will one day cease to be, I am reminded that there is a cycle and a pattern and a path, and perhaps I don't have to know what it is or where it leads. I just have to walk it and share it with those around me.

Blessings, all.

Karla