Dearest bench,

Thank you for supporting my weight and my spirit over the years. Oh how grateful I am for all of the changes you bear witness to.

You have witnessed the beginning of some of my most important relationships. You have witnessed the ending of others. You have witnessed me reading the first page of some books. You have witnessed me finish the last page of others.

You have supported me in early mornings when I watch the sunrise, evenings when I watch the sunsets, and nights as I watch the water reflect the moon’s beauty.

You have accompanied me as I listen to the beautiful music in this world. I’m grateful that we have had the opportunity to listen to ensembles of birds scatting jazzy solos. I’m grateful that we have been able to listen to the music of children laughing, bearing witness to what one day might be core memories of their childhood. And on those rare occasions, I’m grateful that we could listen even to the blissful music that exists within utter silence.

You have watched me battle addiction and illness. You have watched me begin to recover and relapse and recover and relapse. You have watched me change over the many years as I experience trial, tribulation, trauma and triumph. You have watched me change in the same way that the soundscapes and natural world around us continue to. After all, are we not nature itself?

Thank you for being a constant in a world that is ever changing. Thank you for helping me to hear music in change, instead of fear or resistance.I only wish that someday I could return the favor.

Though you seem a constant in a changing world, I know that you too have and will continue to change. As you support the weight of other beautiful souls and as you experience the beautiful forces of nature and weather, I know that your impermanence will someday show.

However, I don’t love and appreciate you because you’ll be here forever; forever doesn’t taste as sweet. I love and appreciate you because you have been, and remain to be ~here and now~. It is impermanence that gives meaning. Death breathes meaning into life. Change breathes meaning into the present moment. For your presence on my path thus far, and for your presence in my here and now, I will be forever grateful. Perhaps that is the one thing that will never change.

With gratitude,
groove