Last night I thought the earth and the heavens were smiling at me, auguring good days ahead. There was a shooting star to boot! I thanked God for all my blessings and for having given me the chance to see such beauty on a chilly night.

I ventured outside to capture the magic, and was jolted 3 times by hissing and jumping creatures (the foxes? last night’s coyotes? do they hiss and make clicking sounds?), but I overcame my fright and stayed out for a bit, relishing in the changing view.

I have yet to explore the state of Maine. I have never been to Mt. Katahdin, nor the Appalachian trail, nor any of the myriad fishing lakes and other scenic places members of my family and others have explored. I will get there, God willing. However, last night, I was thrilled to be in the Blue Hill Peninsula, a slice of heaven on earth.

I thought of my long-gone parents and was reminded of one of my Mother’s favorite little poems, a beautiful rhyme (XVII) written by a famous Spanish Romantic poet, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer:

Today the earth and the heavens smile at me;
today the sun reaches the depths of my soul;
today I have seen her… I have seen her and she has looked on me…
Today I believe in God!
***
Hoy la tierra y los cielos me sonríen,
hoy llega al fondo de mi alma el sol,
hoy la he visto… La he visto y me ha mirado…
¡Hoy creo en Dios!

The poem has a subliminal message. I finally understand its significance.