It’s been one heck of a week and a half, so I was more than ready to see Friday roll around.

On my way home this evening, I stopped to buy a birthday gift for a friend and, once back in my car, exhaled a sigh of relief. The only things before me were rummaging up some dinner, taking a walk — or not, maybe making a cocktail — or not, and diving head first into my jammies. On the radar for tonight and the morning? Sleeping hard, and sleeping in.

I was coming up to a red light and keeping an eye on the car behind me; the driver didn’t seem to realize I was slowing down. Finally, he slammed on his brakes. No squealing, no harm, no foul, but that’s all I would’ve needed.

Then it happened: as I was falling into somewhat of a blank stare and fixating on the scene in my rear view mirror, a passing bird released the biggest load of poo I’ve ever seen deposited on a car. And it was on mine — right in the part of my rear window that I had been absent-mindedly focusing on.

Yep, crap. That about sums up recent events. All I could do was laugh.

Inevitably, however, crap is followed by clearing. That part showed itself tonight, too.

We have incredibly high winds tonight — winds set to last through the weekend. The power has already flickered a number of times, and the TV has adopted a bit of static. Then again, mine is pretty old. A red flag warning coupled with low humidity — we’re at 10% right now — means it’s fire weather.

I stepped outside to experience the gusts and was immediately blinded by dust flying through the air. Smart move. After a series of rapid blinks, my eyes cleared. Adjusting to the night and away from artificial indoor lighting, I looked up. I’ve never seen so many stars in the sky — and I’m in the middle of the biggest city in Orange County. They were staggeringly beautiful.

To go from crap to clearing in a matter of four hours is the way life goes. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes it takes less time. But one thing’s for sure: when there’s a mess on your hands and you’re blinded by grit in your eyes, the stars are always there. We just need to remember to find them.

For stars to balance the more messy parts of life, I am thankful.