Houston

Last night it sounded like the sky exploded and collapsed outside my window.  I sat bolt upright, my body rigid with fear.  I ended up trying to ignore the elephant outside by writing.  This weekend I drove to Houston by myself.  It was my first solo mission in the marshmallow.  I was apprehensive in the beginning.  Saturday I left town about noon.  The sun was shining, and spreading warmth every which way.  Texas is such a massive hunk-a-chunk of land.  I had a print out of directions in my lap also my phone was cued up to the same route.  I watched the ever changing canvas pass before my eyes, trying to commit it all to memory.  In my head, I kept thinking of one of the truths of life how you have to push forward even when you are afraid.  In Africa, the herd of wildebeests have to cross this one river to get to greener pastures, but huge crocodiles know they are coming and hunt them dead.  I’m in my car glad I just have to drive to Houston, not cross that African river on foot and face a horrific death.  Birds of prey circled high in the air.  I have always admired those flying predators, because they appear graceful (even knowing their sinister purpose).  I picked a route that involved driving down some real country roads.  At one point, even with GPS on my phone I felt uncertain which way to proceed and I could feel panic rise up my spine.  However, I did not surrender to the panic.  I kept driving and eventually I got to another highway.  The rest of the drive down was all peaches-n-cream, beer-n-skittles.  I noted the scattered remains of several coyotes, one deer, and an armadillo.  I voiced my disapproval by honking at the crowd of vultures consuming the dead armadillo.  They looked up and jumped, perhaps surprised by such an authoritative sound coming from a marshmallow.  When I arrived at my destination, I checked in to my hotel and texted my friend.  We ended up going bowling.  Our foursome happily munched burgers, chicken tenders and fries while waiting for our lane to open up.  Each of us performed our traditional gender roles: the girls talked and the boys were all action.  It was cool to witness my friend’s transformation.  He behaves differently now that he’s in a relationship.  You can tell he’s happy.  As for me, I got to bed at a decent time.  The next day I had my workshop.  It was interactive and fun.  There were about 20 people in attendance.  My partner was a tall blond surfer named Karen.  She handles public relations for a college.  We worked on our act together.  I felt like I had been given the tools I need to create and really be successful.  As soon as the workshop was over, I hit the road.  For my return journey, I picked a route that was only highway.  The ride was smooth and painless.  I made it home by 9pm.  I would like to thank the GPS navigation system in my iphone for supporting me during this trip.  I would like to thank my Toyota Yaris for not getting sick!  I would like to thank my family for frequently checking in on me.  It is great to be home.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  I like that quote.  It makes me think of God and love.  I remember once being at church and my mother had written this beautiful prayer about Martin Luther King, Jr.  She got halfway through reading it before the tears came.  Once she began crying, she could not stop so the pastor came up behind her and continued reading the prayer where she left off.  It was very moving.  Also, I recall that anytime I have visited a Unitarian church the sermon has been about Martin Luther King, Jr. (which is an interesting coincidence).  I admire his courage.  Each day, I try to be courageous and sometimes I am, but not always.  Today was a good day.  I felt fine.  I sang.  I tried my utmost to make every person I came into contact with feel-like-a-million-bucks.  I did not know this until recently, but apparently, I sing a lot at work.  I only sing because it helps me to stay lighthearted and not stress.  I will close with another quote from MLK, Jr. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”