The word surfaces to consciousness, something that seldom comes.  It means “silence” in Japanese.  I’ve not thought of that word for many years.   Saturday morning early, — viewing the frost covered ground in the backyard.  Nothing is moving.  The frost is the remains of winter’s grasp upon the ground.  There is little traffic yet on Western Avenue.  Silence reigns over my small island of awareness. 

In the silence, we gather our scattered selves.  In the noise, the hubbub, the conflict of responsibilities, distracted by distraction, we are stretched thin.

When outside yesterday I heard a faint trilling, an undulating, continuous musical note.  I knew the sound was of no ordinary songbird hiding among the bare tree branches.  The calling seemed from far away.  I scanned the sky, and then I saw them.  At the limit of my vision, so far above they appeared as a flock of tiny dots moving together across the dome of the sky, I saw migrating sand hill cranes.  Many of them coming as if in waves, clustered in groups of six to twenty or more.  Too far away to manifest any detail, the sound of their calling reached me.  You cannot predict what might be seen and heard when enveloped in silence. 

You and I are not alone in the silence.

Here are some things worth remembering:

• We are a miraculous, unlikely, fragile species.
• Our importance, impotence before events.  Our brains are powerless before life & death.
• Perfection — forget about it!  You and I are flawed human beings.
• Others, as scared and confused as I, merit my positive regard.
• It is more fulfilling to serve others, than to be served.
• It is better to laugh than to cry.  Choose to laugh.  Life is an absurd shit-show.
• Be thankful.
• Forgive yourself and keep moving forward.
• Enjoy small pleasures.  (It’s time for a second cup of coffee)

And what about a tune to help us “get through” the weekend?  This one is sure to get the job done.  Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells.  I like this cover by Joan Jett & The Black Hearts.  What an unlikely juxtaposition: crimson and clover…

Crimson And Clover
Lyrics by Tommy James And The Shondells

Ah, now I don’t hardly know her
But I think I can love her
Crimson and clover

Ah, now when she comes walkin’ over
Now I’ve been waitin’ to show her
Crimson and clover
Over and over

Yeah, if I’m not such a sweet thing
I wanna do everything
What a beautiful feelin’
Crimson and clover
Over and over

Crimson and clover, over and over
Crimson and clover, over and over
Crimson and clover, over and over
Crimson and clover, over and over