My title reminds me of a similarly titled song by Air Supply.
Saturday, August 24, I was honored to work at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville, NC, for “An Evening of Appalachian Tales.” As a member of Scribes on Stage, that night I worked as an all-around gopher wherever I was needed. I also worked at the table for writers’ book sales, including mine. The show was a super line-up of talent, and it ran until 10:30 p.m. I was dreading the drive home by myself. The stretch of road between Hayesville and Hiawassee, GA, has been under road construction for about two years, with orange markers that delineate the lane, but lanes change from day to day. The narrow road will eventually, and thankfully, become a four-lane. So off I went, headed home in the dark.
As I traveled down the road in the darkness, I became aware that I wasn’t alone. I heard the sound of a chirp. When the chirps continued, I realized I had a small passenger–a cricket—somewhere in the back of my car. He kept me company, singing all the way home. It may sound strange, but it was comforting to know that a little soul was my traveling companion.
We both arrived safely that night. I never saw him again, but I’m hoping he “made a run for it” when I opened the hatch of my car. His sudden appearance and whereabouts will remain a mystery.
We all need to ponder those little moments in life when we find ourselves connected to nature around us.