Struck by lightening in the middle of a field
Drowned in a dam
Hit by a car
Tree falls
Leaving a scar
Where a human has been
We cling precariously
To fate
Avoiding at all costs
Our use by date
And all the while
Death smiles gently
Shakes its head
And whispers
You really could have lived
*reading the news that a young woman had died, struck by lightening, a summer storm, just around the corner from home, shocked me.
Everywhere, right now, a human is being born, another dying – I’m not sure what the tally is at right now – who’s in front – life or death but it doesn’t really matter, there is always plenty of us.
We get so caught up in the minutia of our little bubbles sometimes, we forget it could be all over in a second. Boom. Gone.
Yet we live such small selfish lives – mostly. The power of a human being fully alive, fully present and intent on changing this world is a rare and amazing thing. Look at the people who have done that – even a little bit.
And then there is us – annoyed and fraught over inconsequential things forgetting – it could all be over in seconds:
The fact that we are born is a miracle. The fact that we die even more so. How so? We forget, forget what a miracle we are and it’s easy because life feels linear when instead it is all right here, this is all we get.
Have fun today.
I’m going riding.
I just bought a new Honda Super Cub, I missed my light as a feather postie bike from the ride. Sold some cameras. Raised the cash. Life is a transaction I will always step into rather than away from.
The header picture is my new bike – it’s small and light and so much fun. I’m over at the coast and to tootle to the shops and find a park is such a simple joy. I can park her on the sidewalk or tucked under a tree. She races through the traffic like a sparrow through the tables searching for scraps of cake.
And that’s her name
Sparrow.
On Substack tomorrow, my post is about the seasons of life, how we change, and ensuring the relationships and things we have in our life fit.
Perhaps I’ll meet you over there – if not, breathe and think of the miracle it is to be alive. How truly wonderful. Love
oh how fantastic! a super cub looks like so much fun – do enjoy 🙂 Mike
It’s so much fun just shot up to the next little coastal suburb and tootled around – difficult to stay pinned down when I could be riding instead Mike
“She races through the traffic like a sparrow through the tables searching for scraps of cake.” Love this image of you and Sparrow out there living life to the fullest, Kate.
Thanks Mitch, sometimes you wonder “is this just one more thing I’m buying to try and fill a feeling?” I am assured that gifts to the soul are different altogether
When my friend’s Mum bought a car, Clive and I came home from school each day to ride her C100 Super Cub. So much fun. That lasted for many months but stopped when Clive had to explain a cut on his forehead.
It’s so nice to hear that another Super Cub is delivering more smiles.
What a sweet design.
Brrrmmm it Kate.
DD
Brmmming and grinnning DD 😁
Cool bike -simplicity, freedom and a hassle free ride, rather than some heavy, expensive, super fast thing.
Exactly!
Sorry to read about the sad news in your neighborhood. 💔 Looks a super fun ride. Enjoy and stay safe out there, dear Kate. 💝
💕for sure Michele
‘ life is a transaction’
Or a series of decisions 💕
I love that bike–looks truly alive, like a sparrow. I had two scooterets at different points in life– Dhanno (named after a famous Bollywood horse) and Bijli (Lightening). I loved them to bits. My dad now owns Bijli and she still gets him through horrible traffic in no time.
Beautiful little machines – glad you got to keep yours in the family – or at least one of them