I drove over to the laundromat early this morning to get a head start on the day. One degree outside and the wind was slicing right through me.
I was in the middle of my Our Father as I walked up to my car. I hit the button to open the hatchback, two bags of laundry hoisted over my shoulders, and as I’m tossing them in... WHACK ... I smashed my head on the tailgate.
That instant blood rushing to the skull pain had me dazed. The kind where your eyes water and your soul leaves your body for a half-second. Several swear words got inserted into the middle of my praying right around “on earth as it is in heaven.”
I didn't notice the tailgate didn’t fully open, it was one degree out and Chet Lemon was cold. Winter doesn’t give warnings twice.
That was when I realized today’s Steinbeck quote fits perfectly.
After hitting my head, I looked up to heaven and told Poppa God I was sorry for dropping a mother-f***ing, c**k sucker, f***ing dumb-ass during the Our Father and that was when I literally saw stars. They say you see stars when you get smacked in the head.
They’re right.
I saw stars and I also saw a bright Jupiter and a sharp crescent moon hanging there like a reminder.
...Something positive out of a negative.
Another positive came out of head meeting cold steel. The immediate pain to my skull made me completely forget that the wind chill was below zero.
Winter is in full force, Chalkheads.
Put on some Vivaldi and remember the joy of four seasons. We have a smile on the sun today, and in a week the days start getting longer. You will also notice the two-week run of 4:20 sunsets have finally ended.
Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish brothers and sisters. May light fill your hearts, not just for these eight days, but every day of your journey.
Try not to hit your head today. Get out and get some fresh bitterly cold air. A couple of minutes of discomfort makes you stronger.
