Ordinary yet extra-ordinary moments

Morning icicle

A day is so often filled with many ordinary–yet extra-ordinary–moments.  If we’re speeding too fast along the highway of life we miss these precious moments.  We gloss over them.  We let them pass without realizing their precious nature, without saying thank you.

An icicle gleaming in the sunrise can be passed as we scurry from chore to chore…or it can be savored in an awe-struck way.  A jewel shines from the eaves.  What a way to begin a day!

Journal and coffee at the kitchen table

Sometimes we have the opportunity to sit quietly at our kitchen table, sipping delicious coffee and soymilk (OK, OK, you can put what you want in your coffee!) Sometimes we pull out our journal–like I did this morning–feeling so relaxed and peaceful–and write poetry.

I tried to write words of presence, whittling the words upwards from the cusp of the magic moment.  Are you ready?  Want to hear?  No scorn, please. Especially when you read the part about coffee curtsying.  This is CREATIVITY, folks.

The words that tumbled upon the journal pages and created inner glee:

Blue jay hides behind tuft of spruce. 

 Clouds swim by obscuring blue dreams. 

Washing machine shimmies in dim basement

  dispelling dirty water beneath pristine snow. 

Pen clinks, chimes against coffee cup.

Coffee curtsies into awaiting mouth, belly,

the long journey back to itself.

Vegetable scraps for the deer. Identification?

I tossed vegetable scraps to the deer and simply had to snap a photograph.  Dozens of folks searched for “vegetable scraps” and found my blog last year.  Secret magical hint:  if you want more blog readers, take a photo of vegetable scraps.  They’ll come running.  Heck, maybe they’re looking for soup recipes.

Skis and snowshoes all lined up.

So I didn’t go snowshoeing or skiing today.  Instead, after the creative stint I journeyed the nine miles into town.  First stop:  haircut.  Just a trim, please.  My stylist, Sandy, and her husband are adopting a Chinese boy later next summer.  She showed photos.  Another extra-ordinary moment as Sandy shared her joy and excitement.

Next extra-ordinary moment followed the hair-trimming.  I stopped by the Nite Owl Restaurant for two scrambled eggs and homemade whole wheat toast.  I always order the same thing.  Settled down to read a book about creativity, when Hud, an 84-year old gentleman, asked if he could join me.

What stories he shared!  It was such a delight to reconnect with my friend from years ago.  He entertained with stories of his three missionary trips to Zimbabwe.  He has such a funny sense of humor.  When we said goodbye, he insisted upon paying for the bill.  I tried to protest but he said, “You try to pay–I’ll have to cut off your arm!”  (It really was funny…maybe you had to be there…)

Broken river of pavement on our road

Then I met my friend Lyn for a three-mile walk through town.  We opted for a town walk rather than a country walk, due to the road conditions.  The miracle of the walk:  three miles passed in an instant!  We shared so enthusiastically that we didn’t even notice our excellent work-out.

Home:  sat at the computer to check email and Facebook and suddenly a friend we met in Belgium in November, 2008, starts chatting.  How fun!  How extra-ordinary!  What an afternoon gift.

Tonight I just returned from a township budget meeting.  Everyone sat around the table planning our tiny (482 people in the 2000 census) township budget.  It was an evening of warmth and laughter.  No disagreements, no fuss.  An ordinary extra-ordinary meeting.  A blessing.

Does anyone have a special moment or two you might share about YOUR day today?  An ordinary extra-ordinary moment?