In the beginning......

The animals all stood patiently within this lovely garden, some lazed about, sitting peacefully without worries or care. They are at total oneness with the world around them. Here they were awaiting the rise of the sun in the east. Theirs was a co-existence in perfect harmony with themselves and their surroundings, an innate understanding with each other. They joyfully celebrated life, as the first remnant of light slithered slowly into being, and as they bowed to the creation and start of a brand new day. They have always started their day at the watering hole. Here, in their own way, they commiserated with each other and spoke of their individual plans for the best utilization of each blessed day.

Soon, the first Man and Woman would join them in peace and harmony. Until that day when the devil slithered in, all was well.

Here, in the beginning, within the first of many gardens, is the Garden of Eden.

Here was my first 'passing ship'. The one that I missed, that which I had not yet been a part of, but some time hence, would be.

Eons, centuries, decades, years rolled by, and finally, one dark and stormy Wednesday morning, that time when night has ended and day is just beginning, I was born. I screamed loudly, I was here, ready to claim my place in this existence.

Here was my second passing ship. I had defied the odds and arrived in this world ready for anything. Somewhere within me I felt out of place even then. Had been born into the wrong time?

I was born to parents of little means, many mouths to feed, and all but one of us made it to adulthood alive. My parents did their best. My older brother was taken early, bless his soul. Here the real struggle began, a transition from being parented to being an adult and perhaps become a parent oneself. I can truthfully say that I had not been properly prepared for life as an adult and being thrust into a whole other world where very few had the patience to care about another's life and insecurities. I encountered kindness and unkindness. I am forever grateful for either, it prepares you for the duality of an uncertain world.

A third passing ship, another hurdle to overcome.

I did it. I made it to here. Now. There was more school. Check. Commercial college, some Technical college, some other college where I still need to finish, but in time. Now there is the first job to agonize over and wonder if I will fit in.

The memory of standing at the bus stop waiting patiently to be transported to the job is still fresh. There had been an occurrence.

As I stood there that morning, I saw a person approaching, he appeared to be homeless. He seemed dirty, disheveled, and very confused, loudly he was muttering to himself, looking up towards the heavens, down to the streets, he shook his fists at, and started shouting profanities at the passing cars. All the while he held something wrapped in newspaper or rags, I don't quite remember which, this thing which he held firmly, clutching it tightly to his chest.

I became alarmed and withdrew into the relative safety of the little bus kiosk. He was drawing closer to me, and I felt very vulnerable. Closer and closer he came. The person stopped suddenly in front of me. I felt extremely alarmed and threatened. He started shouting and cursing at me. From out of the packet in his hands he brandished a huge knife and came towards me threateningly. I yelped in surprise, I was cornered, running left or right was not going to keep me safe, the space between us was very small.

Had he felt insulted because I stepped away from him, into the surmised safety of the little booth. Did he feel rebuffed, inadequate. Had he thought that I felt myself better than he was? I asked myself afterwards.

I thank the stars and the universe every day that my two saviors had been there. Two brave men, I did not know them, started yelling and came running up to the threatening unbalanced man, this startled him, and he ran away, holding his weapon close to his chest again. Unfortunately, we had no cell phones back then. He was long gone before we could even get access to a telephone. Back then there were a lot of homeless people roaming the streets.

I thanked the men profusely for coming to my assistance and perhaps saving my life. I realize now that I should have probably reported it to the proper authorities, but I had been young and pretty shaken, I hope he never went on to hurt anyone.

The kindness of two strangers may have saved my life that day. Wherever you are, whomever you are, thank you again.

Numbering four of many life trials, many not documented. Here sincerely is my toast: To still being alive. That ship I surely did not mind passing on.

There have been ships that passed in the days and nights of my life, ships of unrequited love, of missed opportunities, of missed riches, missed fulfilling of hopes, dreams, joys, sorrows, pain and laughter.

I celebrate the ships that I did set sail upon, the ships that have brought me to where I am today. I celebrate the ones I missed, for they were not mine to set sail upon.

I waded into the storms of life, my ships passed through the trying monstrous thundering waves and delivered me safe upon this chosen shore.

Salud!