At least several weeks ago-probably months-my mother's partner's son, who lives in Thailand, came for a visit. He brought everyone little "blessed Buddha" pendants, small carvings that were blessed by an actual Buddhist priest, then encased in plastic.
I liked wearing mine. For reasons I've described as "part spiritual placebo, part fashion," but I did genuinely like wearing it. Then the cord I used to tie it around my neck broke.
So, I attached it to my key chain, which I thought was very jaunty. Then the little metal loop that attached it to the key chain broke.
My first interpretation of the symbolism of this was that grace kept falling away from me. Then Sarah, my therapist, suggested it was more that it needed to keep moving around. I liked her interpretation better.
So I've been carrying this around in my pocket for awhile, and tonight I went to a supply store-the kind that smelt of Patchouli oil-to have the cord replaced. They sold cord by the foot, and I bought about three feet, which cost 51 cents. I gave the girl behind the counter a dollar.
She gave me change for a $10.
I thanked her, walked quickly to my car and drove away, cackling evilly.
That's the sort of man I am.
Seriously, I laughed for what felt like at least the next five minutes. I looked at it as the universe giving me a gift-I go in to buy a piece of cord and make a profit of almost $10. And I was really starting to feel entertained by myself and impressed by it all.
Then I was startled by a car poking its nose out of a driveway. And I said to myself-I really did-"This is a sign from the universe. We do not strut."
I keep thinking of the scene from Karate Kid-a movie that has always stayed with me-where Pat Morita steals a belt for Ralph Macchio for the tournament. And when Macchio asks him where it came from:
Buddha provide.
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