Thank you for this miracle.

It will do its job some 2.6B (2,600,000,000) times in your time, delivering the equivalent of over 212M L of life through your veins, ordinarily without missing a beat.  In religion, the pantheon of mythology, in common relationships, it is representative of love, existence, spirit, soul, being. 

Being.

A.M. radio blaring, windows down, traffic was stuck on the bridge, sweltering heat, broken A.C., and a haze covering everything in the bay. I ran late in what's ordinarily a 45 min. drive because of traffic, so I called ahead, and when I arrived they were waiting.  Moving about 10 m.p.h., the heat was memorable in its scintillating from the asphalt, and I wondered if I should pay to get the A.C. fixed.  Air rushing around, my place was secure in the world, a non-motorcyclist's quick moment of zen.  I was only about 15 minutes late. Finally, I was ushered off to a dark room and the lady put a few of those sticky electrodes on me and - good to go. 

In a routine exam today, I saw it.  I looked at the screen and asked, "Is that a sonogram?  Is that my...?"

Since I showed interest, from that point on, I was given the VIP tour.  "How much does that machine cost?"

"More than my house."

She continued to explain how the chambers opened and closed, asking here and there that I take a deep breath and hold.  I told her I'd have to reward it with a big steak for doing such a great job.  I asked about the patches of red and blue on the screen, and whether she'd seen her own before.  "It's different when you see your own," she said. 

I wasn't sure whether to keep looking or not.  Chances are I wouldn't see it (like this) again, I mean I've seen this sort of thing in books or on t.v., but seeing my own was disconcerting.  But I stole a few moments and did.  I let my guard down too, which felt not only good, but right.  This was a rare moment to be appreciate my own mortality and our gifts, so many which are intangible as ideas or simply because they are beyond reach.  I let myself be moved.  My eyes watered up.  It was unforgettable.

"O.k., now you're going to hear some amplified sound that sounds like a washing machine."  Ka-woosh, ka-woosh, ka-woosh.

She continued her explanation of ventricles, aortae, chambers and the like and said, "You're probably just like 'Whatever'." 

I told her that I wasn't in the least.