Stumbling into the living room there's enough moonlight to easily make my way.
In the kitchen the silhouette of our dog Goddess jumps up and her tail wags as I slide the door open so she can go out.
Following her out, the heat of the night embraces me in sharp contrast to the coolness of the air-conditioning inside.
Goddess rushes down the stairs to the back yard as I lay my hands on the rail of the beloved back deck sleepily taking inventory.
Stars dance around a bright half moon to the song of a choir of cicada.
Every light is on in our neighbors house and her television throws off colorful hues as she sleeps passed out on her sofa.
Aside from the cicada choir, all is silent ... all is calm ... all is bright.
I stand naked in a Monastery built by God and on an oh so Holy night.
Prayers rush through my mind, first of Thanksgiving for Sarah and this life, then petitions to look over the ones we love and finally for interventions to guide us to the things we must do next.
I hear the scratches of Goddess' paws as she lumbers up the wooden stairs and takes her place beside me.
Yawning and scratching my head, I say "Amen" out loud before returning to the coolness of the sanctuary that is our home.
Goddess continues to wag her plume of a tail, breathing excitedly as I crawl back into the manger with Sarah grateful for night prayers and a dog who insists that I have them.
Amen.
