What a Ride

Life is not a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely

in a pretty and well-preserved body,

but rather to skid in broadside,

thoroughly used up, totally worn out,

loudly proclaiming,

"Wow-What a Ride!"

~

There are quotes that make a big impact when I first see them

After my dad died a few years ago, I saw this when I opened a retreat newsletter.

And it was an 'aha' moment.

I had been living my life by scurrying alongside the path 
 - in the ditch - 
just to be safe

I wasn't even sitting on my path
Nowhere near it

And I figured

Well, I'm going to die anyway

So it's up to me what I do with my journey

And how I arrive at my destination

Kinda like riding the motorcycle

And pulling into a hotel parking lot at the end of a ride

Turning off the engine

Hearing the little snaps and crackles as it cools

And seeing the bugs, the dirt, the unidentifiable 'stuff'

Like little souvenirs its collected along the way

And knowing that

Beneath the surface dust is the true heart of my beast
(And water works miracles)

And so I'm traveling my path

Collecting what I may

And when I die

I'll sit and crackle

And recollect my journey