there is magic

There is magic.

There is magic in the drop of water quivering on a leaf as it bends back toward the earth that gave it life. When the world choked on the dry air of a still evening when no rain fell from the sky, there is magic.

There is magic when light streaks across a colorful sky. When the sun bows to its maiden, lending her its seat in the heavens, shining behind the scenes where we cannot see it; shining only to make the moon glow, there is magic.

There is magic when the distance between friends, close. In late night phone calls and stories with no ending. In inside jokes and knowing glances. In memories that would not mean as much if they were about anyone else. In friendship that picks up where it left off. In not being able to explain how two different people were able to find a common ground. In endless laughter and conversations about nothing in particular. In finding another group to which we belong. When we know that "soul mate" does not mean "lover". When we know exactly who to call and where to go when magic is hard to find. In the family that was not given but created. In the support that only friendship can offer, there is magic.

There is magic in the embrace that exists in what was once too much space. In the pride that is stripped away to reveal compassion. In open hearts and open minds. In letting go of anger to make room for love. In the freedom that only forgiveness brings, there is magic.

There is magic in the spirit of togetherness. In the symphony of many peoples' tears. When towers fall and worlds explode and those who left to bear witness find comfort in each other. When chaos is conquered and order is restored. When planes and buildings are broken but spirit is not. In the camaraderie that only brothers at arms understand. When hope is the only things that helps us survive, there is magic.

There is magic in stories of a world we have never seen. In the legacy of people we have never met. In hands that meet around a dinner table. In the home not made of bricks and mortar, but of memories shared and moments had. In the people who were there when our life started, who've watched us grow and wondered what we would become. In the moment a child is brought home and a promise is made till death do us part. In knowing the permanence of family is still flexible enough to welcome others. In knowing we can always go back home, there is magic.

There is magic in finding strength in the intangible. In the "knowing" only faith can bring. In a constant presence we cannot name. In the only comfort left when the world is full of pain. In silent prayers and the jubilation of songs of worship. In the celebration of a life that science cannot explain. In one final, desperate cry for salvation. In living with a goal of one day meeting paradise. In knowing that no person is truly ever alone, there is magic.

There is magic in a bashful smile. In the breath caught in lovers' chests. In the skip of two hearts that have learned to beat together. In the infinity that exists in the palm of a hand. In the space between two pairs of lips before they meet, only a second after their souls embraced. In a slow dance of hearts. In finding "home" in another person's arms, there is magic.

There is magic in the first sign of life in a mother's belly. In the perfection that can only exist after pain. In the first sound a baby makes when he has found his mother's heartbeat and his father's voice. In finding unconditional love in a child's smile. In the first "I love you" uttered from a mouth that has not said many words, yet. When a person stops being a person and becomes a parent, there is magic.

There is magic in the smile of a child welcomed into a stranger's home. In knowing that it's love, not DNA, that makes a family. In finding that love in a face that looks nothing like ours. In rescuing a child from an unknown fate. When love is given without prejudice. When skin color and language no longer matter. When "orphan" is dropped and "son" or "daughter" are the only words that matter, there is magic.

There is magic without potions or incantations. Without prayers or mantras. Without wands or crystal balls. Without smoke and mirrors or pay per view and Vegas shows. There is magic without cards or coins, top hats with bunnies or boxes with trick bottoms.

There is magic even where we cannot see it.

There is magic that fiction has yet to define.

In the world, there is magic. In life and love. In us. In beauty.

In everything, there is magic.