Momentous
"Do not the spirits who dwell in the ether envy man his pain?"
~Kahlil Gibran
Earlier this week I was walking home from the market, making my usual mental to-do lists as I passed the apartments, houses and flowers along the tree-lined streets where I live. I stepped off the curb at a green light, clearly noticing the humanoid figure of a walk sign. It was reminiscent of the Lite-Brite toy I always wanted as a child. I was right in the middle of the crosswalk when a car flew past my abdomen so closely and so quickly that I actually had to throw my hips back to avoid it. The woman passed me and slammed on her brakes. "Did I hit you?" she asked. "No," I replied, "I'm o.k." She had made a left turn without stopping or looking. She apologized and drove away. I immediately broke into sobs. She had missed me by less than an inch. I was seconds away from becoming the subject of one of those "she never knew what hit her" stories. As I walked home I was in a state of shock. I remained rather numb for a couple of days. I was grateful to be alive, but sort of just going through the motions.
Then on Saturday something shifted. I was driving to a friend's "paint party" (an event that was more about painting than partying). She was remodeling her office and asked her buddies to help. I told her I'd come, of course, but there were other things I would rather have done that day. As I drove to fulfill my obligation, I noticed the beautiful mountains ahead of me, the bright flowers along the road and the yellow morning sun shining overhead. I was suddenly filled with an inexplicable joy. I took a deep, satisfying breath and exclaimed, "I'm still here!" I was overwhelmed with an awareness of the precious uniqueness of that day, of that moment. A moment that would never have happened if I had stepped off that curb just a few seconds sooner.
I had a fantastic time at the paint party. My friend took us to lunch and I ate every morsel on my plate. It wasn't my usual "Humanely-raised Wild-caught Organic Fair Trade" kind of meal... but it was delicious.
Today as I walked to Trader Joe's, I didn't run the mental to-do lists over and over again in my head. Instead, I listened to the leaves crunching beneath my feet and stopped to breathe in the scent of my neighbor's still fragrant roses. I passed another woman who was also taking a walk. I smiled at her but she didn't see me; her eyes were focused on a tiny, hand-held television which she watched intently as she sailed past me, speed walking.
I am so very grateful that I'm able to write this blog and that you are kind enough to read what I write each week. I'm not sure what the moral of this story is. Maybe it's two-fold: Look both ways before you cross the street and don't forget to stop and smell the roses.
This delightfully rich and creamy Coconut Banana Sorbet only takes a few moments to prepare.
Coconut Banana Sorbet
This unbelievably yummy sorbet is super easy to make and your vegan friends will love it! Be sure to use organic sugar (evaporated cane juice). It's richer in flavor and more nutritious than refined sugar.
2 medium-large just-ripe bananas
1 13.5 oz (400 ml) can of full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
1/2 cup organic sugar (evaporated cane juice)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional toppings: Dry toasted, slivered almonds and/or chocolate sauce.
Peel and chop bananas into blender (1/2 inch chunks). Add coconut milk, sugar and cinnamon. Blend until smooth. Pour into a shallow glass baking dish. Cover well with plastic wrap, then foil. Place in freezer and freeze for at least 12 hours or overnight.
To serve: If sorbet is frozen a little too hard, simply leave out for 5 or 10 minutes until you can scoop it easily.
Top with toasted almonds and/or chocolate sauce, if desired.
Makes approximately 4 cups
Gina -- Beautiful stories, what a writer you are becoming! So impressed. Must try this quick sorbet. I love coconut.
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Wonderful post!
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Sitting at home with my newborn, this is one of the few emails I actually take the time to read! Loved the reminder to take in all of life, and loved taking in all of that awesome cheesecake from the last entry! Seriously delicious! Still thinking about it!
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Life is precious and yours is a precious life for us all. So glad you're here to share your inspirations.
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I liked reading your little short story.
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Grazie del complimento, Caterina!
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Dotti, Rick, Emily and Jordania,
Thank you so much for your lovely comments! I'm so happy you're enjoying the blog.
Emily, glad you liked the Mini No-Bake Lemon Ginger Cheesecakes from "Little by Little."
Dotti,
Did you make the sorbet yet?
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Gina you are amazing. As you are probably aware, I need to create more time for wonderful things, one of those things being your fun and exciting posts. I look forward to reading them all the time. It's just so much fun to read. I truly appreciate it. By the way, the mac and cheese.....words can not tell the story- it's an Experience.
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