A Fellow Traveller

With the howling wind and driving rain, delivering papers was not something I looked forward to doing. My umbrella started to be ripped apart by the fourth house and yet the job still needed to be completed. I persisted in keeping the papers close to my chest and the bits of umbrella around my face but it was impossible to stay dry. More work came from trying to hold on to an ineffective umbrella and to keep myself from being injured. When I got back and realized my daughter was sick and would probably not be going to school, I decided to tackle her part of the job as well. By now I was soaking wet anyways, so I changed my approach and set out without an umbrella but with the papers wrapped in plastic. The wind was still roaring but it didn't seem quite as bad. I didn't realize how cold and wet I really was until the job was done but a sense of satisfaction was there that could only come from following through on something difficult. While walking, I composed a verse to ad

There is snow and then there is fluffy snow. Today everything is becoming frosted in freshness as large flakes waft down steadily. With little wind blowing, the flakes are settling on top of everything, sticking evenly and outlining what is beneath. No longer is the ice, sand and salt visible, as beauty is everywhere. I chose this morning to enjoy the beauty. I know the slippery ice is still there as well as all the dirt and grime from yesterday. Yet I would be missing out on fresh joy if I focused instead on the ice. I'm thinking too of the loses in life that are out of my control to change. It's one thing to feel sad and mourn that loss but it's my choice whether to focus on it totally or look for fresh beauty. Today I want to start a "Beautiful" list, topped by today's snowfall and the names of special people in my life. After that, only time will tell what I will add as I intentionally look for beauty all around me.