This morning I could have lost both of my grandparents.
They were one intersection away from home on a country road, when someone at the crossing stop sign continued because he didn't see them coming. They were sideswiped, rolled into the nearby ditch, and thankfully there were people there (including the young man who hit them) to help get them out and call the paramedics.
I know, not funny, right?
When I heard about it at around 12:45 today, I thought instantly: "What do I do if they're both gone?"...it's a spontaneous feeling, isn't it? When you hear that someone you love is in trouble? And it's horrible. Knocks the wind out of you for a moment...or longer...
So for this week's haiku, I'm just not feeling as sarcastic as usual. Contemplative maybe, and a little bit grateful...because they are okay, somehow managing to get out with only some bumps and scrapes for my grandma (and a fractured heel from her slamming the brake pedal), and a broken rib for my grandpa, but no other major injuries to speak of. And you see, my grandparents aren't what I'd consider "typical" for someone my age...they're pretty young (70 and just under) and they've always been "young" to me. So in my mind, they should stick around to see my kids (whenever the hell THAT happens *coughnevercough*), you know?
I guess that's part of the human condition...to go into a lull of naiveté about how impermanent everything really is - at least in this world. So it takes something jarring to bring your tiny human brain back to understanding the hugeness of that idea. And that is why this week the haiku subject is this: What in your life are you appreciating today?
As usual, I'll start -
husband, dogs, and cat
i'll take them, rank smells and all
the hugs are worth it
OR...
simplest thing, really
evening tv on the couch
while the dryer hums
