We’re taking grains of sand into our palms and turning them into pearls of remembrance.
The way a bluejay flies from branch to branch beside the road where I take morning walks. As if he is the tour guide leading the way, whistling about the sights.
The way a rabbit hops from hidden brush, turns around to look at me, and skips along as if he picks up the nature tour where the bird leaves off.
The way a flock of Canadian geese fly perfectly spaced over the surface of the lake, as if someone held up a ruler.
The way my son leaves air between the wake and kneeboard while smiling joy, when he used to fall asleep in my arms as a toddler fearful of the boats rumble.
The way a chipmunk scuttles up to our shoes when we stop to look closer at a crowd of lily pads.
The way clams create a spiral sand masterpiece on the bottom of a glassy lake of still water.
The way blueberry pancakes taste better in Canada than they do at home.
When we accept what we cannot explain or understand, we’ve entered the way of faith, each moment a brushstroke of miracle in the mural of life.
And in the very same way the Spirit long ago became manifest in the Body of Christ, the first cabbage rose began to materialize on my (cross stitched) tablecloth. From there I could envision the whole garden. ~The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
This post was a balm for my soul. And it made me very hungry for pancakes. Canadian ones. So glad you are back to writing Shelly. 🙂 Sounds like a beautiful vacation.
Thanks Danelle, I finally am back in the US with internet. It’s good to connect again and we had a lovely time away. Always hard to leave all that beauty.
:-0)
It is blueberry season right now here in Vancouver.
Been thinking about you…praying you are havo a great summer.
You live in such a beautiful place Celeste. We had wild blueberries picked by my mother in law almost the whole time we were there. So good. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, I really do appreciate them. I prayed for you while I went on morning walks too.
Your annual vacation at Round Lake is way too short.
Yep, way too short. We need about a month at least!
Guess this means you have returned to SC? Have missed your thoughts penned in your magical way. Hope it was as wonderful as always.
Not yet, on our way home now (on Sunday) and will pull in late Monday. Yes, wonderful as always.
Oh, it is so true, Shelly. I’m finding more and more that I press moments like those close to memory…and even though it often accompanies a tear or two, I do love when something triggers a special one (like the little girl I saw yesterday at the lake brought a sweet picture to mind of a child I loved, adult I love now grown up…
I’ve missed your words and glorious photos, too.
I’ve thought about you often Pam and prayed for you on my morning walks. It’s good to be back in the US with access to the internet. I’m posting from the car, in New York right now.
Thank you so much for your prayers, Shelly! I’ve been praying for you too… including you in my “cover with your blood” prayers too. 🙂
Welcome back, Shelly.
I missed your beauty, words and thoughts and miracles out of things we sometimes ignore.
Thanks for blessing me anew.
Well……I simply MUST reply to this. Been checking your site off and on while you were away. ‘Why it’s crickets around here’ kept greeting me, and I could literally hear those crickets. Came here again this morning to check….and said out loud, “OH! She’s back!!!” I have missed you so. (To say, “I’ve missed you” is a gross understatement.) Your photos of my ‘neighbourhood’ are so lovely—took me there in my own mind. “Blueberry pancakes taste better in Canada than they do at home” cemented my heart to yours forever, my friend. Anybody who loves Canada is a lifelong friend of mine…because I love it so. And our geese—aren’t they spectacular? Awful ‘messy’ though. 😀 So loved reading your words today. A balm to my soul. WELCOME BACK! Hope you have been refreshed and renewed in our “True north…strong and free!”
Aww Jillie, what a faithful friend you are. You know, you can sign up to follow through email and then you’ll know when I post. I’ve prayed for you on several quiet morning walks on the Bonnechere River, missed you too. I had a bowl of wild blueberries and Ontario peaches for my last meal at the cottage this morning. I wish I knew why everything tastes so much better up there! I’m posting from the car as we make our way south. And yes, lots of renewal and refreshment for all of us, for which I am so grateful.
This reminds me of a song David Crowder sings. The song is filled with some of my most favorite lyrics, including these:
And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest so be quiet now and rest
So be quiet now and rest
The ocean is growing, the tide is coming, here it is
Here is our King, Here is our love
Here is our God who’s come
To bring us back to Him..
Welcome home! Can you tell we missed you? 😉
Oh, I love that song and my heart warms knowing this post brought it to mind. It’s good to be missed (maybe even a little relieved to be.) 🙂