Coincidence, insight

One of those "coincidences" just occurred a short while ago.

I was on my way to the store to get some heavy cream, and found myself highly reflective. I neglected to think of bringing some headphones for the walk, and thought at the end of our street, nah, I'll just relish the solitude, sunshine, nature, and serenity offered by this little town. So I continued on, half-wishing I had the tunes and half-glad I was completely alone without them.

My thoughts ranged from the trip to work to my appreciation for nature, people I know, fresh insights about myself, and of course, Dale, and how lucky I am to have him in my life.

At the top of the hill, not much farther from the store, I began to hear a beat - music! Some guy was working in his yard and had a radio on. I matched my steps to it as I drew nearer and wondered what song it might be, happy that my reverie was enhanced by a hint of a welcome past time. It turned out to be the country version of "When You Say Nothing At All." I felt a tingle run up and down my spine and it settled within that wide spot in my torso which I equate with my "spiritual center" - the place that always feels warm and fuzzy whenever I've hit upon something spiritually meaningful. See, I'd impartially thrown that song onto my mp3 player shortly after Dale and I moved here, and I hadn't taken much notice of it until one day it came on as I was walking up to Beaver Pond by myself. It sent shivers down my spine, then, too, because it reminded me of Dale and I. (How trite, I know.)

Coincidence as perhaps it could be called, it's noteworthy to mention the numerous things that had to be in place for me to encounter this song as a spiritual moment struck me: Decision to make muffins, desire to have cream with them, decision to walk to store, leaving the headphones behind in favour of silent appreciation for this little town, and the exact moment that I decided to leave for this short journey, only to arrive at the top of a hill within a particular three-minute-something timeframe so that I heard a song that is so meaningful to me as the sun shown down so brightly. Sometimes it seems that everything about Dale is shrouded in perfect timing (consider how we met).

I won't delve into the spiritual awakenings that ensued as I bought my milk and cream and returned home, but I wanted to share some of the profundities so apparent in life.

"When You Say Nothing At All," sung by at least a handful of artists, notably Alison Krauss:

It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don’t say a thing

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes sayin’ you’ll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What’s being said between your heart and mine

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes sayin’ you’ll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes sayin’ you’ll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all