The Second Gaze - Red

I've never been a big fan of red. This has a lot do with the fact that most of my favorite sports teams' rivals have red as their primary color.  But yesterday, red was a welcome sight. On a grey, drab, dreary morning as all mornings have been so far in 2021 (can we please get a clear morning?) the red of Scout's sweater stood out as did the coat of the person who passed me on our walk.  Both are ones with whom I walk most days.   But one I know very well  (and is currently curled up next to me on the couch) and the other is one who I greet with a simple "good morning" as we pass each other on the trail. So today, "red" speaks to me of the companions on our journeys... those we know and those we don't - both of whom can bring color and life on what otherwise can feel like a dreary day. In this, I think of the story of the road to Emmaus in Luke 24 where two travelers on the road between Jerusalem and Emmaus are met by a “stranger” who they later find out to be Jesus.