Rainbow in the Rearview

OK, so I've always been one of those "everything happens for a reason" sort of people. I like to think that I temper it with enough "you have to pay attention to the universe" 'tude that I'm neither annoying nor expecting shit to just fall in my lap without having to work for it, but... it is possible that my friends just don't tell me these things, either.

But then things like today happen.

First, a wee bit of backstory. When my grandfather (a man of the pulpit for over 45 years) died in 1989, a guy friend invited my cousin and I up to Evanston for free ice cream from the store where he worked, because ice cream makes all things better. As Jen and I were transported by the Purple Line, we looked out the window and saw a rainbow out over Lake Michigan. Reminded that the rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to the world, I was sure that this was visible evidence of Grandpa's spirit taking its rightful place. Ever since, all rainbows make me remember my grandfather.

So there I am, driving to work this morning, minding my own business, trying to stay a respectful distance behind the trucks without having the dickheads in Beemers driving up my ass... I'm rounding the ramp onto the interstate, and I see it. In my rear view mirror, bright and clear as you please, a beautiful, sharp, well-defined rainbow. By the time the ramp straightened out onto the highway, the angle had shifted and it was gone, hidden by billboards or trees or buildings.

But for just that moment, Grandpa stopped by to say hello.

Happy Birthday to me.