The world feels a little strange these days; not only the world at large but also my world, my surroundings. Some of the things I observe seem to be far beyond the norm, or out of the normality.

As a species, we are experiencing something unique, a special moment in time, although it is hard to put a qualifier on it.

Last night, a brief conversation with our son brought what I would call an éclaircie; a respite into this bizarre world; an éclaircie is what happens to the sky between rain showers. It clears up.

Interestingly, the word éclair means ‘lightning’ in English.

What our son taught me brought such a humble moment–a moment when we realize we don’t know everything–even if that something (a word) we learn is small and inconsequential.

I have been living in the US for about three times the age of our son, and yet he mentioned a word I didn’t know.

Udder.

Such a strange word, and such a strange sound, especially when it is not part of our knowing.

I don’t see any connection between my first sentence and an udder; yet who knows?

It is beautiful to experience such a moment when life takes you by surprise, isn’t it?

It confirms that we can’t know everything and it is ‘udderly’ reassuring.

Gilles Asselin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: An eclaircie of humility

Time: Mar 10, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89189709508

Meeting ID: 891 8970 9508