One Thursday morning in April, I felt a bubble of mirth,
like light,
rising in my soul, radiating into my chest
and making the corners of my mouth turn up.
I wasn’t “thinking” about anything funny,
but like the sun popping up from behind the apple tree at dawn
there it was: a gleam of humor
rosy-gold, like the sunlight,
warming my spirit, relaxing my muscles,
and calming my mind.
I didn’t burst out laughing,
as I often do, hearing some dad-jokes,
or watching a Stephen Colbert monologue,
or seeing memes of the once lost/now found zebra
tossing a fish at the Pike Place Market in Seattle,
riding a ferry boat, or being ridden by a Sasquatch.
I love a good laugh!
But this quiet, Thursday-morning effervescence of Mirth
was not the kind triggered by comedians.
It was free-floating.
Like the touch of a magic wand
wielded by a fairy godmother, a loving ancestor,
or a beloved friend thinking of me in merriment,
tapping me with a twinkle of light
in the center of my chest.
The dazzle of mirth lasted only a few moments
but its influence carried me forward into the morning.
Outside, an Oregon Junco began piping a repetitious CHEEEEEE song,
like a tiny alarm, marking out his territory.
A Stellar Jay hopped down from the suet feeder,
and the dawn crew members hauled up their shells for the day,
which promised to be bright and warm.
Mirth, or whoever you are,
You’re welcome to join me any morning.
Khalil Gibran wrote:
“Wake at dawn with a winged heart,
And give thanks for another day of loving.”
Lovely.... your eyes are glinting again, I can feel it.
Excellent and joyful!!!!