I have never considered myself an outdoorsy-type. It was out of character for me to commune
with nature if there were buggy-things around. The family tells many stories of my summer
adventures on my grandfather’s South
Carolina farm when I’d throw tantrum after tantrum if something even buzzed by
my ear.
My appreciation for nature came as a result of my baby boy
who preferred the outdoors over everything else. From the moment he was able, he would often rise
early, head out the back door and disappear into the woods that bordered our
property. He’d scavenge things that
intrigued him and then bring them back for me to identify, explain away, or
just be in awe of. Soon I was trailing
behind him to scavenge my own treasures.
Discovering the outdoors through
his pale grey eyes was absolutely enchanting, even with the bugs.
Hiking wooded trails was one of our favorite past
times. We trekked a mountain side
together right before he left for the military.
It was quality time, the likes of which, I will hold near and dear to my
heart forever. I hadn’t made the opportunity
to do any hiking since. Not until
today.
This time of the year is my favorite. There is something about the fall coloration
and the crisp, clean air that moves my spirit.
Today was picture perfect for a hike and so I found a two-mile trail in
a mountain-like setting that I’d never explored, tied up my favorite boots,
packed that requisite bottle of water and disappeared into the woods with one
of my favorite friends.
As I stood on an overlook, staring out to the expanse of
yellows, reds, golds, and browns that bordered the most peaceful blue-green
lake, it took me back to ta time when I was certain that all was well in the
world. When life was good and blessings
were abundant. And as I reflected in
prayer, love beside and around me, I was reminded that it sometimes takes
communing with nature to know that life, with its many contradictions, can
still be good and personally, my many blessings continue to be abundant.
It was a very good day.
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