The need to hear a joyful noise.

This has been a long week of amazing beauty.. and aching worry.
I had nothing of any merit to write about. Sometimes circumstances of life make for lousy "sharing" and so it's best to be quiet about it.
The amazing beauty was seeing the thousands of Sandhill Cranes in the Delta.

They are here to winter over and breed. They are massive birds that come by the thousands to the California Delta this time of the year. It was a gift that I want to experience again, soon. I was there, by myself, on  Saturday and followed some other folks down Woodbridge Rd in Lodi to see and HEAR these amazing birds. There is nothing like the sound of thousands of cranes calling to each other. It's a cacophony of beautiful noise.
I needed this noise... this beauty.
Sometimes we have to try very hard to keep the balance of joy and sadness in our lives. I have a friend who struggles with a mental illness and she is in the lowest point imaginable right now. Please take a moment to think about those who suffer from diseases that are socially unacceptable... diseases that  show no visible scars. No "Gee, I'm so sorry. When was your surgery?" No survival kudos. It's a place that brings Hell to earth and leaves you with no hope.
I cannot make this go away. I cannot help. I can only be her friend and right now that doesn't seem like enough.

So, you find me in my lovely comfort called home. A respite from the worry... a reprieve from the sadness that is always at the edges.
 And on this day... this place is truly a sanctuary. The weather is bright and cold. It is one of those perfect early winter days when staying indoors seems like an insult to God.
It is also my 69th birthday.