I had a lot of errands to run yesterday, including going into the city to Michaels to pick up some things for Meelie's birthday party next weekend. There is a road that I travel on for several miles, which can best be described as rural. It is lined by very tall trees on both sides, and a massive amount of underbrush. It immediately gives me a sense of peace. It's almost surreal because it almost feels as if you are travelling through a cave with view of the sky. The road consists of only two lanes and there are stretches of it that contain nothing at all but the wilderness.

While navigating one of the larger bends in the road on my way home yesterday, I looked ahead and saw a mirage that made me feel as if I were about ready to drive into a lake. The sun was high at that point, and I'm sure it contributed to the illusion. Like all mirages, they disappear as you get closer but at that moment in time, I was struck by a memory that I hadn't thought of in years.

When I was a child, we would take a lot of road trips to visit family. When I would get bored, I would intently observe the seemingly endless highway and watch for mirages. When I would see one, I would imagine my father pushing a button on the dashboard of our Kingswood Station Wagon, which would magically transform our car into a boat, which would safely transport us across the "ocean." I remember visualizing dolphins frolicking in the water beside us. Many times I saw sharks and I remember one distinct time I saw a Humpback Whale. If we didn't turn into a boat, we would transform into a submarine, and work our way through the coral reefs and beds of kelp. It felt as if I was deep inside and aquarium, with a bird's eye view of everything around me.
Yes, I'm older now, but mirages still hold the same fascination for me as they did when I was a child. The one I witnessed yesterday reminded me of a lake on a still day, with the sun's rays warming me from the slight chill in the air. It relaxed me, and I felt a sense of calm envelope me. Yes, I do have a busy life, just like most of you do. I have learned you need to grab those moments of peace wherever you can get them. If it comes in a form of a mirage, why would I ignore it?

I guess I still possess a bit of the imagination I had as a child, and for that, I'm very grateful.

From our house to yours, Happy Easter everyone!