When I once again realize I am the luckiest man in the world

Out in the garage
Working on my motorcycle
Using the 6-piece ratcheting box end wrench set
To tighten down the upper triple clamp bolts
I set the lift stand to raise the back wheel
To adjust the chain tension
I am listening to this American life on the radio
The space heater whirring quietly by my feet
Our dog comes out to check up on me every half hour

I pull the sparkplug to check the jetting
Remove the skidplate and change the oil and filters
The seat comes off with a single dzus fastener
And I remove the air filter
Turning the wingnut until it releases from its seal
Then I clear an area on the workbench to clean it
Spray new filter oil on it and let it sit and soak in
And in all of this cleaning and adjusting
And tightening and oiling and puttering around
All I can think about is my wife
Visible every few moments
through the open garage door as she works in the kitchen
peeling and cutting and mixing food for dinner
I catch a glimpse of her smile
And I see how her happiness mingles with the kitchen lights
How it leaks out through the dividers in the window glass
like fingers stretching quietly out along the driveway
Beckoning me to come back inside.