Snowy Morning Meditation

This morning, as per usual, I drove Jan from the house up to the train station for her daily ride up to Watertown and her work as research librarian at the Perkins School for the Blind.

It was snowing. Not really bad, but certainly enough to slow us and most everyone else down a bit.

Then on the way back to the house as I was proceeding in the middle lane of Interstate 95, the SUV in the fast lane just a car length or two ahead of me lost control. Didn’t quite catch how, or even sure I would have been able to tell how, but the SUV began to swerve, quickly escalating. I slowed down. As did the car in the fast lane right behind the now wildly swerving vehicle.

By the time the SUV spun out and stopped perpendicular to the highway with what seemed only the slightest collision with the concrete barrier, we behind were able to stop with the driver and vehicle without difficulty.

Those of us in front pulled out and continued. By the time I’d called 911 I was told they had it all in hand.

My first thought was that tagline from the old television cop show, Hill Street Blues.

And…

I don’t think I was ever in any real danger. But, just a couple of wrong decisions by any number of different people and it could all have played out quite a bit differently.

Reminding me once again of the evening gatha from our Zen retreats.

Let me respectfully remind you:
Life and death are of supreme importance,
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken… awaken…
Take heed: Do not squander your life.