Some days it's just one damned thing after another. You know what I mean. Why get out of bed is the question I ask myself. Of course, I don't need to tell you that. You've been here before.
What was it the Buddha said? Nothing lasts forever? No, that wasn't his. Sounds more like Shakespeare, who as we know, went around stealing the Buddha's quotes and then taking credit for them. No, the Buddha said something about the impertinent. Is that what it was? Impermanence I think is what it was, meaning that nothing lasts forever. That's the baby.
Don't get me wrong; the day started off in stylish attire even though the storm was headed our way, coming up the coast from Florida. The sun was bright, the heavens were Carolina blue, and birds were auditioning for America's Got Talent. I had a lot on my to-do list but I was still bucked because the day seemed so happy to see me out and about.
Crossing the bridge on my way home from the Hyundai's visit to the spa, I was singing along with the Beatles to She Loves You. When George and John sang the title words, I was thinking that ‘she’ could be a reference to my car, Wynd Horse, and she loved me for getting her spiffed up.
Then when Paul and I answered with, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah!’ I realized that the bump, bump, bump of the tires on the bridge gridwork was keeping time with Ringo’s drumming. Did I say I was bucked? I immediately put the windows down and turned the volume up to 11.
Seldom does a day come along when all things come together so perfectly. When it happens, it’s a welcome reminder that God’s on his throne and all’s right with the world. This day was turning out to be one of those days. Yeah, yeah, yeah!
I decided to call my old pal, Mumps, and share the bright morning. He was creating one of his signature wood craft pieces when I called but he jumped right into the conversation and we spoke of Cuban cigars, the transmigration of souls, and the theory that the Universe is conscious. You know, the usual stuff.
I was fully immersed in this stimulating conversation in the way of the worshipers I remember from my infrequent childhood visits to the local church. I wasn't walking the pews or prophesying but neither was I paying attention to the events taking place around me.
It was only when Mumps asked, 'Is it raining' that I realized, to my wild-eyed surprise that it was indeed raining. I remember thinking that it was an odd coincidence; the kind that makes you wonder if the Zen Buddhists might be mistaken in their belief that it's all random events.
However, rain or not, I would not be brought down. Not this day. This day I would keep the chin up and the upper lip stiff. The rain was just another reminder that the Universe has a perverse sense of humor.
Before heading home I decided to enjoy a late breakfast at New Day restaurant. I had the usual egg whites and spinach on a croissant. I ordered two coffees to go because I never forget Ms. Wonder.
With a coffee in each hand, I tucked the bumpershoot--you remember the rain--underneath my arm and exited for the Hyundai and home.
The sky looked a bit threatening but I was parked a short distance away. Then the first drop fell. It was one of those fat, splattering raindrops. My hands were full and the umbrella was tucked away but I figured I could walk between these infrequent sploshes.
Then it began to rain for real. Still, I wasn't concerned because I was halfway to the car. Then the sky opened up and the deluge dropped. I was soaked to the gills in seconds. I stood outside my car, trying to find my keys to open the door as bystanders stared and pointed at me with concerned looks on their faces.
It was nothing new of course. I'd been here several times before. It's even been much worse. At least the children aren't crying and hiding behind their mother's skirts.
The rain was cold and my clothes were leaking but as I drove away I remembered an old gag of Master Wen's back at the Zen Center of Houston, "There's more good than bad in any moment."
I still haven't decided if he's actually correct in that assessment but it warmed me up a bit to think of it.