When the biggest event of the month is a litter of kittens;
When the most beautiful thing is the sunset;
When important conversation is the weather;
When the most fun thing to do is go out for breakfast;
When a huge happening is the electric company trimming the trees;
When the calendar is regulated by the moon phase;
When you find half a mouse and celebrate the cat’s prowess;
When a femur of unknown origin appears on the porch and you know the dog’s working;
When the mockingbird lights on the gate, telling you it’s time for breakfast;
When this year’s hummingbird count exceeds last year’s, and you dance a jig while you
hang out another feeder;
When your black mama cow delivers a white calf, and you celebrate the next door bull
having jumped the fence;
And
If a tree doesn’t fall on the house;
If the septic system doesn’t backfire;
If the chimney still draws smoke;
If you manage to ignore the traffic,
Tell no one your business,
Keep the gate locked,
And bury a can of cash in the backyard—
Then, in the dark stillness of a silent night, far beyond the world,
When you go deep within,
You have about a 50-50 chance of hearing the
Symphony of the Spheres and
Transforming your life forever.
