By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, Joyful Musings
In the 1970 movie, Little Big Man, the character, Old Lodge Skins played by Chief Dan George, hopes to die with dignity and performs an elaborate ceremony in order to do so. He’s dressed in his full ceremonial gear surrounded by stunning nature, a huge sky, chanting with dignity, with grace, with fervor.
He lies down, peacefully awaiting death.
It begins to rain and he remarks to his grandson, “Am I still in this world? I was afraid of this. Sometimes the magic happens, sometimes it doesn’t.”
“Sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn’t.” I muse joyfully today on the magic that does work, the magic that keeps us going even when, well, we’ve orchestrated and planned and things do not come out quite as we’d hoped.
What magic works?
Whether prayer is magic is up for debate but when I pray, something magic happens. I let go, I am reminded that I am not running the universe. Magic happens. I’m a fan of the basic prayer I stole from writer Anne Lamott: “Help me. Thank you.”
My first cup of tea every day is magic. Made with Barry’s Black Irish Tea and topped with skim milk, every morning’s first sip is a miracle, magic.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has magic that is supplemented by a glorious, strong, educated, confident voice. If you have not listened to her response to Congressman Yoho’s apology, do watch the full nine minutes and 52 second of magic working in full on experience, strength and hope.
Going out for breakfast is magic that always works. It’s hard to ruin pancakes or eggs, coffee is always magic. It’s the beginning of a day, it’s hope, it’s magic, it’s breakfast.
Directness is magic that works. My wonderful husband, Dan, promised to put in some fencing this summer. As the clock ticked toward August, we had a conversation filled with clarity, with magic, with directness. The fences are up. I love my husband. Magic.
Art is magic that always works. When you create, you are magic. Whether you knit, paint, sing, play the ukulele, you are magic. Art is divinely consistent, divinely magical. My sister, Kate Donovan, has been creating magical bracelets, magical designs. She glows when she speaks of them, shares the images. These are magic.
Dogs are magic that work. While they can be slobbery, annoyingly barky, contributors to an already messy house, those pups work some magic through their looks of “I’ve got you.” They are always ready to go, delighted in a pizza crust, majestic in their raising their snouts to sniff. Canine magic works.
Freedom of the press is magic that works. Censorship is the antithesis of magic.
InDepthNH.org, with founder Nancy West, reporters Paula Tracy, Garry Rayno, contributors lMike Marland, Bob Charest, George Liset, John Herigan, Michael Davidow and others are pure pure magic.
And if you are reading this, we thank you. Freedom of the press at InDepthNH.org is magic that always works.
Enjoy the magic of your day, your tea, your art, your breakfast, your political reads, your prayer, your celebrating the magical voice of AOC, your new fences. I muse joyfully you will.
Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Dover who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.
The opinions expressed are those of the writer. InDepthNH.org takes no position on politics, but welcomes diverse opinions. email nancywestnews@gmail.com