I was driving from my cabin on Swift Reservoir to my new home in central Oregon. After fifteen, yes 15 months in a camper, a house is incredibly exciting though still a bit surreal. It was sunny with endless blue skies, music blaring, my cat Tao on my lap, Charlie in the back, the car packed. Well you know Dale and music…

For those new to this story, my husband Dale passed away in January after a long arduous battle with cancer. Subsequently, he has continued to communicate through various methodologies however my iPhone seems to be the most handy, reliable and easy to screw with, thus my latest adventure.

I’m rocking out, when the song changed on my iPhone to…you guessed it, “A Case of Loving You,” Joni Mitchell….again. (See past blogs.) Okay, I used to really like this song. It really helped me process in January/February when I didn’t feel I could cry, had to carry the weight for so many. But now? Well I’m a bit weary. It comes on and I push “forward” from the car console. The song didn’t budge. I tried again, nothing. I then opted to go directly to the phone, pushed forward to another song, then…Joni Mitchell. It then sped forward to Santana -again- then back to Joni. This went on literally about ten times- no exaggeration! Finally I said out loud, “That’s it! I’m going to delete the damn song. I’m done now…” I tried, nothing. Again, it wouldn’t delete!

“Okay fine! I’ll listen to the £#€£ing song” either that or I’m switching to the radio.” Now this is where it gets really really good…The song is playing through, I’m driving not paying attention when Joni sings, words I’d forgotten in the lyrics, “..and I drew a map of Canada, Oh, C a n a d a…” which got my instant attention sending goosebumps down my spine. Then my phone switched to a new song and Joni hasn’t played since.

But here’s the kicker. Behind me, following me on his bright yellow Harley to central Oregon was an old friend of thirty years from…Canada.

You can draw your own conclusions.

Cosmic sunshine to you from the mountains of Washington and Oregon.