Night before last, Adele said, "I want you to write about miracles."
miracle -
an event that is contrary to the established laws of nature and attributed to a supernatural cause; from Latin mīrāculum, from mīrārī to wonder at
Until the fall of 1978 I was, off and on, a farmer in Montana. Rather, I worked on the family farm. I can't say I ever really fit anyone's idea of a farmer (including my own). I did however work and live here. One of my ways of not fitting in was to have my hair cut by a trained professional. I'd drive the 25 miles into Billings to see Leonard and spend five times what a haircut would have cost from the local barber. Leonard was a kindred spirit. We had fun together.
I hadn't thought of Leonard in years, until about three days ago we drove past where his shop used to be. I had a moment wondering where he might be, then on with our day.
Yesterday morning we found need of a tire store. A slow leak. Called my cousin. She recommended a place around the corner from Leonard's old shop. I took our dog for a walk as they worked on the tire. There was a pawn shop just opening for the day. I poked my head in, always on the lookout for large format camera lenses. Someone was vacuuming. "Come on in. Bring your dog. We've had bigger ones in here."
I went in. Asked the guy about lenses. "Excuse me," he says. "But what's your name?"
I told him.
"I'm Leonard," he says. "I used to cut your hair."
"And this was your shop, wasn't it?"
"Yep."
We talked for an hour. (Adele so patient. At least for an hour. Then...)
We drove out to the old farm. Spent a few hours there. Stopped in my old home town, Park City, for lunch. A new restaurant. Actual authentic Mexican food. The first I've ever had in Montana. In this town of maybe 250 people. Been open for about two weeks. The people running it are from Long Beach. Our waiter was so happy to see people from L.A. that he slapped me on the back.
The name of the restaurant? Los Milagros. The Miracles.
Are these miracles? From one perspective, of course not. Silly, really, even to talk about it like that. From another perspective, absolutely. As miraculous as it comes. I followed the mundanities of my life yesterday and ended up having the day changed, and changing the day of others, without having to think about it, without having to try. Just showing up and being. I was so happy after seeing Leonard. And I think he felt the same. Maybe next time we come up he'll learn to meditate. And the waiter at Los Milagros... I know what it's like to need a taste of home. He got that from us. Not a big deal. But enough to change the feeling of his day. In a good way.
Taken altogether, this day becomes something to be wondered at. As is every day. But sometimes, when we're looking for it, the universe plays in such a way you can't help but notice. And that's just fun.
Today I will notice what there is to be wondered at. I will expect a miracle.
Bunkhouse with Tire, Young's Point, Montana
Copyright © 2011 Jeff Kober
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