Some days a little storm cloud sits overhead – the coffee is cold and the lines are long and the news is mean and there seems no grace or kindness to be found.

But then the driver coming towards me slows on the road and I spot the reason – an enormous turtle is crossing the way. The facing car stops and I stop and the cars behind us all stop, and I can see each person’s irritation turn to wonder as we watch her progress one plunk at a time across the yellow lines. She’s the biggest turtle we’ve ever seen in these parts and yet she must have been right there beside us all along, in the marshy patch beside the road. No one honks or yells or swerves – we’re just quiet, waiting, watching. 

Dear ones, we just need a moment.