DAY 812: Magic Moments

There were sparks of magic everywhere along my route that took six hours of driving … something I could not handle my first year out. Now on my fourth trip south, I don’t like doing it, but I can.

I saw a man who had to be Santa Claus riding a red lawn mower, and two brides dressed in the same beautiful long wedding dresses posing for a photo while holding hands and kissing. There were all types of Halloween decorations, the Mars Wrigley Company with huge M&Ms out front, a vintage sign on the side of a barn that read “Have a ‘gansett,” an old gas station with the original Texaco sign, and a Dairy Queen that also had its original signage. I could find examples of all the elements, from stands selling pumpkins to trees the same orange color, rivers and tumbling brooks, sunshine, and flags blowing in the wind that also brought leaves down like confetti and allowed birds to soar.

I drove down many main streets of towns, some with more character than others but all with churches and some with stately stone buildings. I passed fields of cows, on-your-honor farm stands, and deserted houses reclaimed by nature. Willie’s Wieners was closed, as was Mama’s Cafe.

I write this from an empty Cracker Barrel parking lot somewhere outside of Philly. I got to spend another evening Jennifer and Ben again, also meeting their niece, Lilly. My one downfall was the bookstore. I can’t seem to walk into one, and out again, without buying at least one thing. Today it was three: a journaling magazine, The Wild Goddess Oracle, and my planner for next year — the Barnes & Noble Exclusive “5783 (22-23).” The cashier was excited to learn 5783 was the year according to the Jewish moon calendar. I am picky about my planner/datebook and I appreciated the way both calendars were presented, and I loved the watery blue cover. Usually by the time I get around to shopping for a planner, they’re totally picked over or out of stock.

Oh, I wanted to note two other sightings. The first was this decorated tree I found along the side of a road in the middle of nowhere. Nothing for miles and miles. It just grabbed me. The other thing that grabbed me was driving by Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church somewhere in New Jersey I think it was. I heard myself saying, “You’re ok. Breathe. You’re ok. Breathe. You’re ok. Breathe.” I was lightheaded and felt like part of me was melting. All I could hear were those words. It’s difficult to describe; it was the first time my dad’s death caught me by surprise. He attended Saint Paul Lutheran Church back in Middletown, Connecticut. His father was one of the founding members and my father served there in so many ways. He lived his faith, and I loved him for that. I still love him. Tonight a little bear dressed as a fisherman will sit on my altar, next to the cross I took from the flower arrangement we had at his funeral. I might even take it to bed with me, where I already cuddle with the baby blanket his only living sibling made for me 68 years ago.

Hmmmm … planned to plot my route to the Hippie Fest in North Carolina tonight, but I think the rest of the evening will be journaling, and letting my mind wander. As Scarlet declared, “After all, tomorrow is another day.”

May yours be filled with magic.