Granpaw's View: THE JOURNEY

LAUNCHING PAD

Wandering and wondering, I mutter to myself about the glory and gore of life that fill my vision and haunt the dreams at night, that carry me on the crest of waves...surging and cresting to crash in the trough that lies between...only to rise again and reveal sky that promises life and beauty beyond dreams and visions...sky that curtains the mystery of universe and its creator.

The mind and soul adrift, quest for meaning in the unknown, and from faint whispers that echo in chambers of the heart...until divine intervention gives a gentle nudge, or perhaps a kick in the butt to send one free-falling from flights of fantasy. Over-powering fright paralyzes extremities, then all is tranquilized as one sees the view below from which escape had been sought. Who would have thought such beauty lay beneath the skies?

“I’m coming!” My heart pounds with the thrill of viewing the contour of land and sea from high above, until knowledge of sudden meeting jabs desperation into action. Limbs flail and search for a rip cord until fingers find the ring and pull with hope that finds its meaning in sudden, gentle descent. Again there is time to view and choose one’s landing...a place where earth is cushioned with carpet of green, and dotted with flowers whose variegated colors reflect emotions rarely expressed.

Morning has arrived and consciousness awakened to the discovery of another day...a day shaped by dreams and visions of the night...a discovery that not all that is worth pursuing lies beyond the clouds. Beauty and love live within my house and beyond its walls. Discovery is yet to be found and shared. Visions are yet to be told of hope that soars above the skies and bounces earthward to those in darkness of despair. Joy is yet to be born and celebrated. And so in these wanderings I find myself a puppy of wondermutt.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

THE JOURNEY

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR ?

Part One

My 70th birthday was yesterday and I was leaving home...5:00 AM, heading south and badly in need of something to keep my mind alert. A hot drink helped, as did listening to an audio book. Four hours later I met a friend, parked my pickup at a cousin’s house and rode with my friend another eight hours to our destination in Sacramento. It was not the relaxing drive I had expected with my friend. From Medford south we were buffeted by high winds, then rain, and finally huge fluffy snowflakes. Close to Mt. Shasta there were highway signs telling us that chains were required. Apparently my friend did not notice, because everything was blanketed in snow and we did not stop. Christmas in April was surreal and scarey. In Sacramento nerves were tense and we both looked forward to relaxing at a book store with a drink and sandwich in hand. Not to be...bookstore closed up 15 minutes after we got there. Starbucks was still open, however.

The motel was inexpensive and our beds quite comfortable. But, always the thoughtful one, my friend treated me to a concert that lasted all night. Apparently he was so relaxed that his air passages kept opening and closing, following directions from a musical score that had never been played at the Arlene Schnizter concert hall in Portland! But what are friends for, if not to drive us nuts, arrive at book stores too late to find just the right book to peruse, and then entertain our sleeping hours with rare musical compositions?