What We Own

 The world is beyond us even as we own it.

--Jack Gilbert "Winter Happiness in Greece"

This morning I was determined to get to the beach, where I haven't been since Easter. But when I woke up today I was checking weather and found that the air quality is quite poor out there. I opened up my sliders and the heat, humidity, and air full of Saharan dust and smoke remnants from various fires felt stifling. I realized that walking outdoors was not going to be in my best interest. I've already noticed some symptoms of the  Saharan dust in my eyes and lungs, and I didn't need to invite trouble.

My usual routine is to step outside when I first get up and say my prayers. Today I stood in front of the altar I have in my bedroom, a wonderful little arrangement I sometimes forget to honor. Today was a return to what serves me. It's weird how sometimes things are right in front of my face and I fail to notice them. So, of course I had to write about that.

It was a returning back

to things which have sustained me

a beautiful quote from a medieval mystic

a stone pulled from the New River with

 the ancient rune symbol for Courage

my dad's rosary he got at the Vatican

lying across a hunk of brain coral

Jim plucked from the reef at Chemuyil

and so much more

reminding me I have all I need

all the touchstones and words

gentle meaningful items.

How easily we get lost in the beyond

forgetting what we own.