Made a Miracle!

Sleep deprivation is sort of like a drug, and I can dig it. So I'd been up for nearly 30 hours. I'd stayed up all night to finish a job. It was done. I was feeling like celebrating, if only by walking among people on the boardwalk and feeling the intensity of their lives. My job was in Venice, I drove over to 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

I caught a movie, bought a cool belt buckle. Drank more coffee! Drifted, looked at people, felt the heat, felt myself sweating. I smoked my last cigarette. Listened to a brilliant musician playing a harp-like guitar instrument. I hung out at the soup kitchen for a while, overlooking the ocean, chatted with homeless folks.

On my way back to my car, I hear my favorite variety of street performance: It's the one where a drummer has assembled a set of pots and pans, buckets and other items, and is freeeeeking ROCKING it. Well, I heard this dude's rhythm and I had to immediately j-walk just to get closer.

I could immediately tell that the few people hanging around were all on the same tip. We all knew this guy was the bomb-diggity shiz-nit. The rhythm was captivating. I danced on the street like a crazy man. I talked with this dude about church and how this is like how church should be.

When I look back to the drummer, I see that a four or five year old little boy has befriended him, acquired a set of drum sticks and is testing out the kit! The wise street performer shows the boy a couple of things and they begin playing together.

There is no way to describe this experience! This relationship between master and student, this pride that I felt in seeing the little boy instinctively understand the rhythm and play along. The joy I felt when he would get self-conscious only to hear everybody in the crowd say, "KEEP GOING!!" It was the most beautiful thing ever!

When they got tired, I approached. I gave the guru a five dollar bill for his trouble. Then I turned to the boy and gave him a single. Everybody said, "Ahh! Your FIRST DOLLAR as a musician!"

I don't think I need to explain the significance of such a moment. For every witness, for myself, and most profoundly for the developing consciousness of this young boy's talent -- it was perfect. We all played our parts perfectly. I felt myself to be a perfect tool for a divine agenda so much larger than myself. It made me feel humble and bigger than the entire universe at the same time.

I only wish my lady had been there to experience it with me...