Life is Good.

She cautiously steps out of the vehicle, warily gazing upon her new surroundings. Her life has been good – no, great – for the most part, and she anxiously walked about. The house was quiet and was situated on four acres of sprawling green grass. With not another soul in sight, she set out to explore.

A little creek was nestled at the edge of the property, and she dipped first her left foot into then, then the right. Before she knew it she was splashing around and became reminiscent of times past.

The creek was splendid, but the feeling of the grass between her toes made her shiver with delight. She found that the faster she walked, the faster she wanted to walk. Before she knew it, her snow white hair was cascading down her back and behind her, and she was running towards the house.

It was apparently close to meal time, because her food was set out for her when she arrived back at the house. Appreciating such a glorious day, she ate her food, found a nice shady spot of grass under a tree, and laid down for a long afternoon nap.

“Life is good”, she thought.

Not all of us may have the luxury of playing in creek beds, running through acres of green grass, or taking a nap under a tree, but we all have the choice to think, “Life is good”.

Did you wake up this morning? Life is good.

Did you take a hot shower? Life is good.

Did your car start today? Life is good.

Did you receive a hug from a child today? Life is good.

Have you had a cup of coffee today? Life is good.

Do you have loved ones in your life? Life is good.

Turn on some music, draw a bubble bath, light some candles, and pour some wine. Life is good.

Even in times when things are hard… Life is good.

Coffee, Computers and Keys

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and recently baked doughnuts fills my nostrils. I hear a bell chime and the door opens. A young couple, probably in their mid-thirties, walk in laughing. From my place in the corner I doubt they see me, but I have an unassuming and incredible visual of them.

Observing from the sidelines, the love they have for each other is very apparent. The laughter, the looks, and the life that exudes from both of them fill the small café. I smile and continue to work on my computer. Again, the smell of coffee fills the room.

"Whipped cream on your mocha, today?”

“Yes, please!” she responds.

The taller of the two starts walking around the café and observing the different pieces of art on the walls.

Reds and yellows and oranges fill a blank canvas to create the enamoring silhouette of a city at sunset. Blues and blacks and whites create an abstract painting of squares, yet always make me think of flowers.

I take a bite of my apple fritter, thankful it's the winter. Washing it down with my peppermint mocha latte (again, thankful it’s the winter) I watch the blonde meander towards the black piano placed inconspicuously in the back of the café.

Pressing a few of the keys, her eyes light up.

“Can I play this?” she asks the owner of the café.

“Of course, that’s why it’s there!” he responds.

She sits down at the professional upright and begins to play a soft ballad. I don’t recognize the song but it is beautiful. When she is done she just sits there with her hands in her lap, looking down at the keys. I realize that there is no smile, only tears.

Quietly observing the pair while appearing intensely consumed with my computer, I hear the taller of the two softly say “Mom loved to hear you play.” After a moment of silence they walk out the door together, the blonde’s head on the taller one’s shoulder. The bell chimes again and they are gone.

Pay attention to your surroundings, my friends! There is always a being that needs a hug, someone that could desperately use an encouraging word, a friend that needs honest advice, or an acquaintance that needs a gentle push to do something that scares them. It is our responsibility as citizens of humankind to help one another. It is our duty as residents of a common earth to demonstrate love towards one another.

“Do one thing that scares you every day.”

 –Eleanor Roosevelt