Music and Nature!

I was going through some old files and found something that I had written while taking a writing class back in 2004. At the time I had been concentrating on writing for young adults and wrote this short piece for a class assignment based on a beautiful experience I had one day. I can still remember that day quite vividly. I had been listening to some Josh Groban music outside (in those days it was on a “walkman” :-)) as I needed a break from my to-do list. I was just sitting in the sun and soaking up the healing warmth when a hawk flew overhead. As I watched him, he was actually gliding and flying to the music! It was so amazing. What a gift from Spirit! As he started moving on, circling a little farther away from me, I sent him these words, “Namaste, dear brother Hawk. The spirit in me honors the spirit in you. Thank you, my friend, for my day has been truly blessed.” So, I grabbed a pen and pad of paper and started to write…

“Saturday is supposed to be the day you have nothing to do!” Corinne grumbled to herself. Her mother had left her a list of chores for the day. Why did Mom have to work every Saturday anyway? Corinne scanned the kitchen. There were last night’s dinner dishes in the sink, breakfast dishes on the table, and sections of the newspaper on the floor next to Mom’s chair. What a mess! Couldn’t Mom even open the mail that’s piled up? As Corinne started cleaning up, she remembered that she also had to study for Monday’s Algebra test. So much for Saturday being a day to enjoy!

When the kitchen was finished, she surveyed the sight. The sink was empty and sparkling. She actually could see the blue and white pattern in the tile on the counter tops. She stretched and decided to take a break before tackling the remainder of the list. She grabbed her walkman and headed out the back door. The lounge chair was calling her. Yes, that would be just the right spot to sit with the flowers and trees in view. This year her mother had planted purple, yellow and burgundy pansies, tucking them in between the pink astromeria and the white and yellow daisies. The willow trees, with their branches dangling down, made the spot look so inviting.

She settled in and got comfy. Putting on the headphones, she found that a Jimmy Goodman CD was in the walkman. Oh, Jimmy Goodman – what a voice! Corinne always marveled that this deep, rich voice came out of such a young, and oh-so-cute, guy. Jimmy could take rock and roll and mix it with violins, French horns, and Spanish guitar to make the most incredible music. With eyes closed she listened to the music. She seemed to become the music. Her heart expanded with each crescendo. She was lifted up, up, up as the notes rose. She felt like she was flying to the music. Suddenly she noticed a shadow moving above her. Opening her eyes, she spied a Red-tailed hawk. It seemed as though he was flying to the music. He was gliding, swaying and lifting as the music lifted. She caught her breath and put her hand to her heart. Watching this beautiful hawk while listening to this wonderful music really moved her. Tears rolled down her cheeks while a blissful smile graced her face. Time stood still as she enjoyed the hawk – circling above her, to the right of her, behind her. At times she caught only glimpses of him behind the branches of an old pine tree. Wispy, white clouds and deep blue sky were the back drop of this incredible scene.

When it was time for the hawk to move on, Corinne thanked him for she knew this experience today was truly a gift. In the middle of what had started out as a busy, busy day, this most precious gift was bestowed upon her. She walked back into the house – no, it was more like gliding into the house – and looked at her chore list. No longer did the busyness of her day annoy her. She felt so contented now. And in this state of mind she continued on with her day.

That night, getting into her pajamas, she decided to call Jason and tell him all about the day she had had. As she relived the whole experience again and knew that Jason understood what she had felt, the contented feeling came over her again. Before hanging up she said, “Good-night, Jason. Sweet dreams.” Corinne knew that on this night surely her dreams would also be sweet.