Last Night

I stuffed several blankets and scarfs into my backpack before heading out into the cold night.  It was freezing, but I was thankful that the snow had stopped falling.  Part of me wanted nothing more than to turn around and head back into my warm, comfortable apartment, but I had committed myself and I wasn't going to let discomfort get the best of me.  Being stubborn certainly comes in handy when every inch of your body really wants to be elsewhere. 

I headed down the steps of my apartment complex and followed the stone trail into the woods.  My apartment building is an old brothel that was converted into apartments about six years ago.  I pay far too much money to live here, but it's the perfect space for me.  I love the vaulted ceilings and the wood floors. I love the wide open space I have to paint and decorate as I choose.  My current color scheme is red, gold, and black.  It's not as weird as it sounds, I promise.  I have an obsession with decorating and every item in my apartment has been carefully selected because it adds something to my home.  I don't decorate for the sake of decorating.

My favorite aspect of my home is the outside garden I keep on the balcony, when the weather permits it.  I love walking onto the balcony and sitting at my tiny coffee table surrounded by lush green plants.  I have two small herb gardens and several flower pots that are constantly being rearranged as I bring in new foliage.

However, I didn't drag myself out into the woods on a cold January night to think about my apartment.  The air was bitter cold and I really did not want to be outside.  With every step I took I wondered why I thought this was a good idea and I started to really consider turning around and going back home, but I could hear voices in the distance and I knew I was too close to give up now.  Within minutes I arrived at the campsite and greeted the others who had already gathered.  We laid our blankets on the ground and chatted about the mundane events of the day as portable heaters were moved around to adjust to my late arrival.  There were only five of us, but numbers didn't matter.  We each sat on our meditation rugs with and closed our eyes.  A girl next to me began chanting the mantra we were all familiar with, and as each one of us joined in I could feel the energy buzzing in my bones.  We chanted and bid farewell to January and welcomed in February.  Silent meditation followed until the sound of a timer brought our minds back.  A prayer was said for a group member who recently lost their mother and I looked at the individuals around me.  The woman whose mother passed away had tears in her eyes and she clutched her rosary to her chest.  My heart went out to her and after the prayer I gave her a warm hug.  We packed up our things and each person headed off in their own separate directions.  My path brought me back home, where I slid off my shoes, dropped my coat and bag on the floor, nodded to the Buddha statue in my front hall, and headed off to the kitchen for tea and some reading before bed.