Blessing

The grasshopper appeared on our window screen several days ago. I admired its lovely greenness, and marveled at how closely its body resembled a delicate leaf. More than once I left and returned to check on it, and it was still there. It lingered on the screen all day, a silent and unmoving visitor. I began to feel honored that it had chosen to call on us, and pleased that it felt so safe and comfortable lodged there on the outside of our kitchen window.

I read someplace that in Chinese culture a grasshopper is a sign of good luck, and in Native American lore it is a harbinger of joyful news, but the feeling it conveyed to me was one of peace. I found an online article on animal totems and symbolism that states that the grasshopper can serve as a grounding totem that teaches stability and patience, but also, for obvious reasons, represents a leap of faith. We are advised, further, to call upon the grasshopper when we need creative inspiration or a sense of adventure in our lives. All this may be true, and for me it would certainly be helpful, but there is only one thing I knew intuitively and for sure: we had been blessed.

Finally, when dusk and dark were drawing near, we checked the window and the grasshopper was gone.

I still feel inexplicably blessed.