Lessons learned not driving: smaller windows

I learned a lot yesterday, in my first foray out into the world: alone again behind the wheel.  I went to a clergy meeting and rejoiced with colleagues.  I went to supervision and rejoiced with Steve (thank you for the idea of smaller windows).  Then the fortune cookie reminder of the beauty present in all parts of God*s creation.  Over the years I*ve gotten some amazing fortune cookies.  When it comes time to give up driving for good, now I*ve had some practice letting go.  It does not come easily.  I imagine it rarely does.

On my first day back driving

I learned this:

It feels good to drive.

I pray when I drive.

I watch the road

The other drivers

Note how big the world really is

And Connected

Really Connected.

The roads are way more

than ribbons of highway,

Way more than this land is your land

This land is my land.

There are coyotes that I don*t see

When I don*t drive.

Alone.

I pray when I drive.

The windshield is my window

On the world.

I am tied into the ribbons

Of highway

Whether the trip is short

Or long.

But I did*nt  quite know I missed it

Or what I missed

Until yesterday.

My prayer window became smaller

For six months.           

The blue chair with the columbine

Outside

The hummingbird.

Yesterday I talked with colleagues

They said

You now have a glimmer of what we will all go through

When our children take our keys away

Yes

I glimpsed smaller windows.

I prayed out smaller windows.

Noticed the details in a smaller world.

Still

Right now

I am glad to drive.

The fortune cookie last night

Gave me this:

You find beauty in ordinary things.

Appreciate the gift.

I love driving

And

It seems right

To continue praying

Out smaller windows.

And drive.