An Ordinary Day
By Tanya Pike
By the time I arrive home it is dark. Winter Solstice is upon us and I am grateful that natural light will soon be returning, tick by tick.

I pull into the driveway as dusk is falling. The flowers in the gardens that we worked so hard in all summer are gone. There are brown leaves covering the small patch of grass that has finally moved from green to rest in brownness.

I shift the car into park. Our Christmas tree sets the front window ablaze with white light. The windows of the kitchen are glowing yellow and as I sit, watching, I can see A in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner.

I pause. Watching. Listening.

There are so many days that pass without recognition. Today was an ordinary day that didn't stand out in any important way. But, with good fortune, these ordinary days are the stuff that lives are made from. There will be days that will be filled with crisis. There will be days that come to call that will be filled with anguish, anger and confusion.

But, with luck, most days will be like today.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return. (Mary Jean Irion)

You can read more of Tanya's writing on her blog www.45Pines.blogspot.com