Today

The heat of the day is wearing thin and the sun is going down.  I have soft music on and fresh coffee at hand.  There is a lot on my mind, a portion of which is sad to the point of heartbreaking and frustrating to the point of rage.  Indulging in a healthy bout of self-pity is always gratifying ... for a little while.  Watching the evening breeze move through my trees out back, another sequence of images moves through my mind.  An old friend is struggling with the discovery of an insidious little mass that will change her life.  Others have lost their homes, jobs, long-term security.  A precious few have lost parents, brothers, spouses ... children.  Loved ones who struggle with burdens I cannot help them bear.  Friendships disintegrated, fellowships foundered and all economic signs point to ever increasing hardship.  It's exhausting and really quite soul-crushing if you think about it.

With Celtic music playing counterpoint to the songs of the birds outside I look just across the room.  Humming along with the music is my little piece of immortality.  In her denim skirt, pink headband and mirrored shades she sits on a bench.  Feet swinging, she is the picture of industry as she builds a small empire out of Play-Doh, attended by her toy dinosaurs.  She is perfectly content to be right in this moment, in her home with her family.  There is no heartache for her that cannot be cured with some affection, or perhaps something sweet.  There is no worry that cannot be soothed with a handhold or hug.  The emotional tribulations that swirl in tangible streams in and around the house move over her, leaving her untouched and secure in the knowledge that she is loved and safe, her life is today and today is good.

Turns out that she's right - today is good.  Today there was sunshine and breezes to help cull the heat.  Today there was good music on the radio, and better friends to catch up with over lunch.  Today there is a roof over my head, and a job I still love.  Today my friends are here, or they are healing.  Today there were stupid dogs who raided an empty garbage can, and not-so-stupid cats who hogged the bed with their whole five pound selves.  Today there is a vibrant yellow dandelion behind my ear, picked by my child who thinks it's as beautiful as I am to him.  Today there is the scent of grass, crushed by sneakers worn by laughing children running through the yard.  Today there is a full pot on the stove, with a meal I can afford to feed my family.

As Today goes to its rest, the eternal mantra of "this too shall pass" whispers through the pines out back - for both the good days and the bad.  In order to miss something, you have to have noticed it was there in the first place.

Today is good.

Tomorrow will be here when it gets here.