Seasons Under The Big Top

 A month into a brand new year. Time seems to stand still while never stopping at all.  The days that make up a week, a month and the seasons create the big and little moments of lthe year. Every day is part of the big picture, the seasons frame life with particular sounds, scents, natural indicators of the time of the year.  

Like the big top that covers the circus, the year drapes over the days of our lives that include every emotion that comes with every experience, thought, dream ,encounter, intention, lesson, all the love, disdain, delight, dissapintment. It's all there each thrill and chilling moment that end-up defining the years. 

LIfe like the circus, as overwhelming as it is easy to take, exciting, inexplicable and full of surprises. We take our place and hope to have a good view of everything. We seek and find that certain thing that can leave us breathless or prompt prayers for things to go well, for safe paths and good health.  

Drive-up Window

It was a brief encounter, it left me feeling sad and hopeful God would bless the kid at the window who took my money and quiet prayers for her peace and comfort. I requested fries and a couple of green chile cheeseburgers. Please do not judge my lunch decision, this story is not about unhealthy food choices.

I drove up to the second window, happy about landing at the correct second window. The girls voice and eyes sounded like a teenager. She repeated my order, I signaled agreeably while feelings of guilt rushed in and out regarding ordering those filthy fries I hate to love. She didn't care what I ordered and waited patiently for me to hand her the money.

 As I organized the correct amount and went through the ashtray for the exact change, I asked her, how her day was going. She shook her head "Not good", behind her facemask I saw a smart, soulful, sad, brave, kind individual. I could not help but offer platitudes and blessings. "I am so sorry, hita". fighting back tears, glad she couldn't see me getting choked-up from behind my baby blue bandana facemask and sunglasses. I felt her suffering, but not to the depth I could see in her eyes, from having to put-up with disrespectful people. "You are doing great!". "People are very stressed-out these days. It still is not an excuse to be disrespectful, easier said than done, but try not to take the ill-mannered, rude behavior of others, personally". "Sometimes people confuse kindness for weakness and think it is OK to trample on nice people". "It is not OK, do not acquire a taste for it". She looks at me with what I perceive as, gratitude. As I drive forward, friendly whispers from Heaven say; "God Bless you, hita, stay beautiful".

I cannot adequately describe the bitter sweetness of the moment. With all my heart I lift her up and anyone needing blessings, respect, respite, peace and comfort. Yes, God Bless her, her work and presence at the drive-up window. It was a powerful prayerful exchange, rapid fire, full of goodness, God's Grace, a spiritual thing.