Backroads of Morrow County: Night Drive December 2, 2012

The back roads are misty tonight. Foggy. Dark. The lights of the houses are like stars, distant and near, punctuating the haze. I often wonder what life is like in those unknown "worlds." There. Is that a place of happiness filled with laughing children? There. Is that a world filled with fear and disappointment? Is there, behind one of those windows, a lonely widow hoping for a visit or at least a call? Who's to know? Just lights in the darkness, windows to look out at the misty, foggy night--not to look in.
This time of year several of the homes are decorated for Christmas. Many are simple--single candles in the windows, a single strand of white lights around the door posts. But as you know, to this traveler "simplicity carried to extremes is elegance." A couple have nativity scenes--bright portraits of a silent night from long ago. A witness in the darkness. I find myself singing as I slow down--who needs an angel chorus: "Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." Some of the homes have a rainbow of color on their eaves and wrapped around their trees. One home near me has eight or so pine trees draped in all the colors. In the darkness it, too, radiates beauty. Interestingly, on all the back roads I traversed tonight, there was no Santa Claus anywhere, on any lawn. One home had two small deer constructed of white lights but it seemed to be a hymn to the nature all around us out here in the country--no suggestion of a Santa or his sleigh. Quite lovely in the mist and rain and darkness.
Usually on my night explorations I see the creatures of the woods. Possum scuttling off to some place somewhere so they can practice being dead. Racoons off to cause some damage, raid a neighbor's pond, add some excitement to the lives of country dogs. Deer loping to the next day's hiding place. Even barn cats off to hunt the fields. I guess field mice taste better than barn mice. None of those beasts were out tonight. Or, perhaps, they, too, enjoy being in the darkness looking at the lights of the human "planets" dotting the hills and meadows of Morrow County.
As I turned into my driveway, I turned off the car lights and sat awhile. Here on the Acres, stillness everywhere. A deep darkness with all the stars hidden in the mist and fog. I creep at impulse speed through the space of home. Even in the darkness the giant pine tree, the leafless ancient maple, and the old Sentinel are silhouettes of a quiet strength. I do not have "miles to go before I sleep." I can see the light in the window of my planet. In there, I know love reigns. And I will park the little red space ship, creep through the dark mist, find the backfront door, and be at peace. The child born in a manger lives here all year round. I will always find rest here. No matter how dark the night.