There is an ache in the air.  Perhaps it is the fragrance of burning leaves, slow and in fires.  It could be the sound of a sobbing child on the phone or the stumbling walk of my dear old dog.  It seems that even deep breaths pull in my chest a chilling mist of the unknown, doubt and helplessness.

So my walk this morning was to breathe in the beauty and stand in the gratitude of here and now.  Brilliant colors against the purple threatening sky.  Crisp cool air and gentle conversation in the neighborhood.  Breathe in heaven and release the ache.  I stretch out the tight muscle in my heart, reaching open for more of the giggling Halloween decorations, the grimace of well-carved pumpkins, the thoughtfulness behind the straggling spider webs in makeshift cemeteries.

Honoring the change that whispers forever over my shoulder, I breathe in the beauty of Good, pull deep on the smell of bread baking, bask in warm cleansing shower.  And sway back and forth alone in the house as She croons to me like a sensuous black blues singer.