Finding Peace in the Parking Lot
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By Tim Anderson
“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us”
–Boris Pasternak
C.S. Lewis writes of his conversion to Christianity in Surprised by Joy. I’ve always loved that title because it speaks to me of the reality of life. Though we fancy ourselves the masters of our fates, and the lords and overseers of all, we are often quite insignificant. We are the ones being acted upon, rather than the actors. C.S. Lewis was surprised by joy - it reminds me that life, at its best, is seen through the eyes of a wide-eyed child.
My son recently began going to school three nights a week at a local community college. He’s studying to be a drug and alcohol counselor, and I admire him for his resolve to help people for whom most of society has little patience.
Three nights each week, at a campus about thirty minutes from our home… That’s all well and good, but my son has epilepsy and doesn’t drive. So, I’ve been enlisted in the cause.
This brings us to the parking lot - and, to the surprise. And, of course, to the peace.
Unsure of how, or where, to spend my time during his two to three hour classes, I simply took up residence at the far end of the parking lot. I thought I’d read a bit, maybe write, maybe… Well, I wasn’t really sure what I’d do, but I didn’t feel like exploring the unfamiliar part of town, so I thought I’d see how it would go.
At first it was just hot, and bright - a bit of a nuisance. But, as the sun began to sink on the horizon, the evening winds freshened and the sky turned to shades of purple and orange. The winds engulfed me, soothing my soul, as I walked along the edge of the parking lot. The soft hues of the sky fired my imagination and, like a wide-eyed child, I found myself surprised by my own sense of joy, and contentment - and peace.
It’s served as a good reminder to me that life is full - wherever we may be.
Enjoy the journey.
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Tim Anderson specializes in writing health content and press releases. Check out his bio. and other samples of his work by clicking on his name above.
Topics: writer's life, Tim Anderson, The Medical Migrant |
September 19th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Tim, what a beautiful description of an unexpected gift. Great post.