On my knees

On May 2, 2014, I woke up and took Tin to school then I ran into a dear friend and went for coffee with her. Then I went over to my house and watered the plants and as I was about to walk back to the American Can where I’m staying for the week, a tall, dark, handsome man said to me, “Can I tell you how beautiful you are?” So I asked him for a hug and damn, if he didn’t give me the sexiest hug I’ve ever received from a stranger. He was surveying the street for the big project about to get started in the old church and he told me he was supposed to be on stage at 2PM at Jazz Fest but because of work, he couldn’t make it.

He’s a rock star in my book.

Then I went home and showered to get ready for Jazz Fest. I was in the mood to go to aikido class but there was no time and so once dressed, I strolled over to the bayou as I waited for my friend who was joining me. My friend was bringing my safety pin and first dollar bill for my birthday pinning. I had looked in my coin purse to see if I had a penny to make a wish in the bayou, but couldn’t find one, but when I got to the bayou, I looked up at the sky and down at the clouds reflected in the water, and something shiny in the grass glinted at me – a copper penny. How about that? I told God and the Universe with a laugh, you mess with me a lot dontcha. You keep trying to get me to realize that I’m indeed scrappy, resilient and that if I would just lighten up a little I would come to see the whole game for what it is.

Then I knelt down and thanked my parents and the universe for bringing me to this journey. The last 55 years have been nothing short of amazing. And I threw the shiny penny into the dark bayou and wished for the magic to keep happening.

As I walked through the gates of the Fairgrounds, into Jazz Fest 2014, I remembered what my friend always tells me as we head on the ferry to Nantucket every year – she says, this is the best part of the trip, when it’s all in front of you. This Jazz Fest – Second Friday – was the best, read again: the best, day I have ever had at the Fest and my birthday was a MIRACLE – a GIFT – a RADIANT LIGHT OF LOVE.

Magical. Miraculous. The absolute perfect day and I closed it out with Chaka Khan singing “I am every woman.”

I have to pinch myself to fully comprehend the totality of my existence.

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3 Responses to “On my knees”

  1. Mudd Says:

    SO very happy for you, Rachel. The photos are beautiful and reflect the energy you were in — contagious smiles! And you look a b s o l u m e n t GORGEOUS in that sapphire blue dress!!! May this be the beginning of a non-stop stream of abundance. BLESS YOU.

    LOVE ALWAYS
    Mudd
    XOX

  2. Rachel Says:

    Mudd – since we’ve met we’ve enjoyed nothing less than abundance – and yet, there are still times when I need to be reminded of that fact by you. Love R

  3. Mudd Says:

    I remind myself every day… especially when it’s a not-so-great-day. The power of gratitude. And attitude. And focus. ROCK ON!

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