“Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.” ~ Wayne Dyer

The forecast didn’t call for snow; we were all amazed when we saw it. It wasn’t snowing when I backed in the hospice center drive and it wasn’t snowing when we left. Yet, when I went to open the back of the ambulance to take our patient out, there it was. . .big, fat, fluffy, soft flakes of snow falling silently from the sky.

The look on her face was priceless joy — like a kid who had just opened the best Christmas gift. We rolled her out and as we wheeled her to the door of what will probably be her last stop here on earth, we paused and encouraged her to try to catch the flakes on her tongue. She was grinning from ear-to-ear, bundled up in warmed blankets on the cot.

When we brought the empty cot back out to the rig, there was no sign of snow, no snow on the ground and no damp patches on the ground, even though our patient, my partner and the student riding with us had all seen it. . . .And it was then that I knew we’d been part of a miracle. A small divine joy created especially for our patient.

Moments like this is what makes my EMS job so meaningful to me.

Addendum: I feel that I have to share the deeper story here —

This particular day was extremely stressful for me on a personal front. My stomach was in knots and accordingly on my way to work I had to make two pit stops — at which point I’m telling myself, “Girl! Get your shit together!” (Literally and figuratively.)

Snowflakes have always mesmerized me as a child. Their unique characteristics without repetition fascinate me at the artistry of God’s hands. My first Hallmark collectible ornament was an acrylic piece w/ a snowflake etched into it and it is still a favorite to this day.

As I drove home from work late at night following the incident described above, I felt a sense of overwhelming peace. The miracle above wasn’t just intended for our patient. It was a visible reminder to me that God can cause snow to fall in a particular spot for a specific period of time. Having that much power and control means he can handle the small details of my life as well.

“They’ve promised that dreams can come true — but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too. ~ Oscar Wilde

Dreams can be wonderful. Funny. Romantic. Weird. Delicious, even.

And then there are nightmares. Nightmares are dreams too.

Nightmares can be dreams of past events remembered. Distorted, piece-meal memories which awaken fear, dread and anxiety.

Sometimes I wake up suddenly — struggling to breathe, the bed damp from sweat. Heart pounding. Muscles cramped from tension. A scream ready to escape, if it hasn’t already.

Other times, the ability to wake is seemingly hampered by my mind refusing to surface from the murky depths of dark dreams as if I’m pinned underwater. The facial expressions and laughter of my tormentor echo in my head with historical precision.

The worst is when I feel the pain of what is occurring. I wake to sensations of burning or dull and blunt pressure being applied with steadying force.

It takes many minutes, sometimes an hour, to refocus. To feel the safety of my surroundings — the free and easy sound of my own deep breaths, the texture of the sheets, the weight of the blankets, even the ability to move and pace as I calm myself.

Dreams can and do come true, even the stuff of Nightmares.

“You had me at hello. . .” – Jerry Maguire

Some folks make an impression on you right from the start. For better or worse, your first impression (or sometimes the second or third), you just KNOW they will have an impact in your life.

Whether it is attraction or common interests, or even a phrase that is said or an unconscious movement. . .something draws you to certain people for a reason.

Some of my favorite peoples are those that make me nervous, but nervous in a good way.  That gut-shaking, slightly nauseous sensation you get right before riding a rollercoaster is similar to what I experience.  Almost a euphoric something-exciting-could-happen feeling.

So yes, I am sure some people are meant to meet.

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order” – John Burroughs

I get it. We’re all busy. Rushing here. Going there. Trying to get it all done.

Tonight, I took a break.

Things have been hectic at my house with the normal routine happenings. But throw in an extra couple of guests and my simply ordered life becomes chaotic.

I went to my happy place. A location which few know of. A quiet, relaxing place where I am alone.

And I relished the silence. . .at first. But then in the quiet, I began to let my senses kick in. First I heard the drops of water falling from the trees onto the metal roof. Then I heard the wind blowing. And the furnace kick on.

Shortly afterwards, I began to notice the cool smoothness of the polished floor beneath my bare feet. And the hum of the refrigerator.

I removed my make-up and washed my face, taking time to revel in the softness and scent of a freshly laundered towel, the fluidity of the warm water as it splashed onto my face and ran down my chin.

I ate a carton of yogurt and smelled the sweet scent of the apples as I stirred it. The weight of the yogurt diminished as it warmed on my tongue, retaining a bit of coolness as it crossed my palate.

For a few minutes I sat in the hot tub and felt my body relax. I felt the sting of cold sleety drops hitting my face, while the rest of my body, heated thru, stayed under the surface of the water, the bubbles from the jets fizzing against my skin. I stood to wrap myself in a towel, watching as the steam rose from my skin, wafting upwards into the night sky.

Relaxation is a wonderful thing, not only for the body but the mind. Too often we are rushing thru life so fast we forget to experience it. To fully feel, hear, taste, and smell what is happening around us.

Tonight was an awesome reminder of the busy-ness of the commonplace things that we tune out. They are there, right below the surface of our consciousness, waiting to be sensed.