Friday, November 17, 2006

Blessings

"Aufersteh'n, ja aufersteh'n wirst du . . . "
Maybe it was the wind--stiff, cold, clear and dry--unlike our usual Houston weather. The air literally changed. Everything past was blown away.
Maybe it was just the time of year--that time when boys like me who went to Sunday School remember that there is someon to whom we are speaking when we give "thanks."
Whatever it was, something told me to shake myself and change, to quit worrying and moping about my "owies" and start rejoicing about my blessings.
I went out on my evening run along the Bayou in the cold and growing darkness as a blanket of navy velvet descended on the city skyline. The glass and steel towers were illuminated from within by electricity and from without by the sun that had just dropped below the horizon. The i-pod randomly shuffled to the finale to Mahler's Symphony No. 2--The Resurrection Symphony.
Nice. Resurrection.
I am blessed that I can run at all. Some cannot. Some never have. I may not be running as fast or as far as I wanted to be running at this point, but heck, I will never run as fast and as far as I'd like.
I am blessed that I will get well at all. Some have conditions that will never heal. Some have conditions that will kill them. I just have to deal with an owie that will some day go away.
I am blessed that I am connected with so many human beings who care about me. Some must suffer more and must suffer alone.
I am blessed.
The final chorale of brass, pipe organ and chorus swelled my i-pod as I reached the Waugh Street Bridge. Against the backdrop of the bayou and the skyline, the bat colony under the bridge swooped majestically into the night sky like one large, smoky beast. The chorus sang,"Aufersteh'n, ja aufersteh'n wirst du . . . "
Rise again, yes, you shall rise again . . . .
I will. I am blessed.

4 comments:

Iron Pol said...

And to think I impressed myself by putting songs from The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables on my MP3 player.

Now I find out Grey runs to major orchestral movements, in the dark, no less (there's an 80's band in there, somewhere).

I always like a good reminder that the little things for which I want to pity myself pale in comparison to some of the real challenges faced by others.

Pixie said...

What a post! Keep it all in perspective, that is what we should all do. It reminds me of my favorite song by Cindy Morgan, "How could I ask for more?"

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Walking to the sunlight, and being cradled my the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mam's face goodnight
And holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot in the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more



It's a long song, sorry to leave it all in the comments section, but it's worth it. Happy Friday!

christine said...

yes we are blessed indeed, thanks for another great post.

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

True... so, true.