After she had opened the bounty of gifts we other mothers of children with autism had bought for her to re-establish her home–destroyed by Hurricane Katrina–Joyce wiped her tears and shared that she never understood those people on television…The ones whose lives were shredded by disaster. And, yet, these people with freshly mangled lives told the microphone-toting reporter that they felt "Grateful." Said Joyce: "I never understood. Until now."
Life crises present us with ripe opportunities to appreciate what we do have. Job Loss. Autism. Divorce and all the emotional tsunami's in between made me understand where Joyce and those aftermath television interviewees come from.
I wrote about bittersweet joy amid pain in my post, "That First Fall." And, as I welcomed the return of this now-closing season's skyscapes, I recalled the romance I've had with winter sunsets. The love affair began in 2004. The first Winter after my divorce. Each evening would greet me, my heart sunk with Grief, yet, my spirit was somehow buoyed by the sky pouring before me. A metaphor that Tomorrow would be Born. A New Future would Begin.
…I used to fancy that these subtle yet rich displays were just for me.
My Best Shot Monday: the second mosiac, bottom right hand–blue sky branches.
Your photos are gorgeous and your words even more so.
Thank you. I’m truly humbled & humble about my photography. Thanks for your kind words.
This is beautiful–your words and your photos. And I completely agree. There is something about the beauty of nature that is very therapeutic. In every season–the rebuilding you got from nature in the fall, and from these winter skies.
My most memorable nature therapy was in the summer. I wrote about it a couple of months ago here: http://www.ayearofhappy.com/2010/01/home-to-me.html
Honestly, spending time in nature is crucial to my sanity. I haven’t gotten enough of it this year…and I feel it in my heart! Literally.
Beautiful words and photos. There is just something about a sunrise/sunset that can’t help but warm your heart!
And I have enjoyed three since this posted at midnight Sunday! All were awesome. I just drive into them my heart filled with amazing gratitude. What a Gift of GLORIOUS beauty. Thanks for stopping by to comment, Cara!
I agree with everyone. Both your photos and words are touching and beautiful. And also, the spirit behind them.
Gorgeous skies all! Any reconnection with the beauty of the natural world is so centering, bringing to mind what is really important. I, too, forget sometimes how essential this is to my well-being.
Thanks, Nancy & Rebecca!