There are times when life happens and you glimpse the grand side of it. I’ll bet you’ve seen it yourself on those rare occasions when you’re really lookin’ (or not). It happens when things just seem to come together in near perfection and pleases everyone present.
 It can be a some planned occasion. Or just as likely (more) those times when it, well..., It just happens! We’ve all (I hope) felt these times unfold? And if you’re real lucky, you notice before it’s over. These are special times, when you truly experience living life.
 Like when a wedding takes place and the love is all over the room, not just down front at the altar. A young person graduates after beating the odds of ever seeing that day arrive. That newborn baby bursts into our world defying the doctors who’d warned it wasn’t even possible. Or the phone rings late at night, and the caller is a stranger phoning from the hospital. The voice says there’s been an accident. Your heart freezes as your knees buckle. But then the voice continues, calmly saying it’s ok, your child is fine. Would you please come down to the hospital and take her home?
 Sometimes it’s a glorious occasion with hundreds present. A time like monday evening in the park at the county seat. Our little village hosted the wider community to commemorate the birth of our country. The celebration had been delayed at the last moment on the official birthday (Mother Nature will have her way).
 Some felt the turnout would be down. Certainly the tourists who were visiting would have turned out on friday night, but not likely to still be around by monday evening? Those visitors may not have been there in great numbers tonight? There were noticeably fewer “out of town” accents to be discerned in the oohs and ahhs as the pyrotechnics lit the sky above the cliff. But the square was filled to overflowing, just the same.
 Luckily I sneaked into a little close parking spot right next to the park. It appeared open just for me. Then I began to ease into the crowds, a little at a time. Strolling slowly ‘round the area, I sensed the joy of one of those special times begin to grow around me.
 It was early, the patriotic display to come later in the sky above (I do love fireworks!) was over an hour away. The music of the band at the far side was drifting into my senses as I strolled through the growing crowd. Greeting friends, relatives, acquaintances (and strangers) every few steps. A spirit of ease, humility, dare I say an actual, “community of man” civility permeated the very atmosphere.
 This was just slightly surprising to me. Since I knew my physical appearance was not one that might induce these things, particularly from strangers? Having arrived by motorcycle complete with the blurry eyes, unsteady gait (totally sober!) and wild hair that often comes with that mode of transportation.
 And yet as I spoke or nodded hello or offered a wave of the hand, it was greeted universally in kind. Moving up and down the walkways, through the grassy areas, stepping between rows of seated folks it was as if all were feeling the meaning of the occasion. Americans were uniquely celebrating themselves.
 Children were dashing through the crowds. Not boisterously, but spirited in pursuit of the enjoyment infusing this gathering. Faces painted, ice cream in hand, colorful lighted toys flashing. Joy in the eyes and splashed over the faces. Old(er) folks, gray hair reflecting the parks old lights, eyes still sparkling, as if this were many years earlier. Engrossed (enraptured at times?) in the music from the bandstand they appeared young as some of the children.
 I mighta been walking on grass, but I was sauntering through time.
 As if time were the same tonight as it might’ve been fifty years, a hundred years ago, or more? Cares seemed nonexistent here. Worry and apprehension were somehow held at bay. It was as if love suffused the air. Love of country? ones fellow man? the person gently holding a hand in the dusk?
 I couldn’t lay a finger to it? But as the moments slipped past, I sensed it all ‘round me! I was delighted in the deepening twilight, grateful the dim lighting didn’t reflect the tears in my eyes. Here was small town America. Here was a people come together. And Life was Grand!
 I Don’t Know About You..., I treasure times like these, when I glimpse the Spirit that is America.
Cal Teeple, founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium. Now on The Internet at: wayneindependent.com/cal He may be ignored, accosted or contacted. And is still often found three stools down.