The workings of our universe.

I stretch out on the couch with an extra pillow in the back, a wool blanket warming my knees and turn on the TV for the evening news. While watching the "latest", out of the corner of my eyes I see my calico cat peek at me with an expression in her large eyes: "Can I join you?" She jumps up and curls up somewhere at arms length between the pillows and my upper legs.

In the mean time, the news is dire - as usual. The live reports from Haiti show death and devastation, and ...

my cat is calm and comfortable.

Civilians and soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq, and plots to kill have been uncovered, and ...

the cat "is" in a different world.

Unnamed financial CEOs, insurance and other corporate leaders have again managed to pay themselves exorbitant bonuses, while the unemployment rate keeps on going up, and ...

the cat? What is going on in her mind, in her world?

Politicians do waste time, moneys and effort in Washington, DC, continuing the legislative stalemate, while we are all sinking deeper into a marsh of economic misery, and ...

the cat seems quite content and happy.

In life, all seems relative. In the scheme of our universe, how important are our actions, really!

Appreciating the basic things in life.

Every Tuesday morning, I visit an organization named Friendship Trays to pick
up the dinner trays for distribution to "the disadvantaged" among us
in an assigned area in the city. After I have completed my route, I return
to drop off the empty bag at the kitchen/office location. At that time, almost
always without fail, there are a number of seriously "challenged" men and women
hanging around enjoying the cheer and hubbub. They are munching on
the provided cookies, coffee cake, muffins or doughnuts. In one corner stands a
dispenser of coffee for all the guests passing through.
This time I noticed one of the challenged women moving to the dispenser, while
she was mumbling inaudible statements. She picked up a paper cup, pushed
the lever, and while the coffee poured into the cup, I heard her say in her sweet
and gentle voice: "Good morning coffee!"
THAT brought a royal smile to my face. Guess what I plan to say to the water to-morrow morning when I open the shower faucet in the early morning?

In every day life, I expect these kind of observations and statements from the
very young, but we adults have "outgrown" these thoughts. This happening
was a nice reminder of what we can be thankful for every day!