I’m thinking today that to be lucky and to know it is a double-gift – an extra-blessing.
I’ve had two experiences lately that have impressed this upon me.
Last week, I visited a wonderful school for children with severe challenges. The children depend utterly on their care-givers as none of them can walk or take care of their own physical needs. They were, nonetheless, so deeply present with the music – a conviction I maintain despite the fact that many were unable to show physical signs of that engagement. I could feel them feeling the music.
The people who care for them are the closest thing we’ll find on earth to Angels. Each of them sat during the music with a soothing hand on a child, spoke comfort softly in an ear, and kept a watchful eye to make sure all was well. They were remarkable and I’m moved just to think of them. We are not all bad, is the conclusion their work brings to mind; there is hope for us yet.
Today I went to the dentist and was told that I have splendid teeth, that I’m “very lucky.”
Oh, I feel that. To the core, I feel the immense privilege of that luck which I did nothing to earn or merit.
To be mobile and possessed of good teeth, to be making music in the world for incredible, inspiring people, AND to know it – double-blessing indeed.
We are blessed beyond measure – even those with cavities. Let’s stay in the sweet spot of “all is well” and “I have it so, so good.” Let’s stay loyal to the blessings and to the art of counting them. Let’s follow the model of my generous cactus and, whenever possible, on the one branch, bloom TWICE.
