– Monday Muse –
Dear One, in mid-October, Ron and I were preparing to host small group at our home. All summer long I had kept orange and yellow begonia blossoms floating in a gold-edged bowl on the dining room table. Although I love the outdoors, and cherish time beneath the open sky, my time spent outside is very limited. So I enjoy bringing something from outside…inside.
Just before our small group arrived, I searched the begonia plants for what would be the last clippings before winter. It was difficult to find blossoms that weren’t falling apart, faded or edged with brown rot. I managed to find four excellent blossoms, and by cutting off the outer petals from the best of the worst ones, I gathered just enough for one last vibrant arrangement. After all, Winter was coming, signs of it were everywhere – most by way of complaints.
Almost everyone I came in contact with, at some point in the conversation, complained about the oncoming winter weather. I thought, surely they don’t dislike it that much, do they?
I do have to admit, I am one who clings to whatever season I am in – be it summer, fall, winter or spring. I’m sure it is because I plan to accomplish more than I ever manage to complete. So I try to hang on to the season as long as possible. Perhaps, that is what causes me to appreciate all of them. Actually, I find that winter holds much which is dear to me, the quiet for one. For on totally windless, when one is surrounded by leafless trees, and gorgeous lake effect snow, there is a precious silence to be experienced unlike any other. In the silence, and the purity of newly fallen snow…the earth, for that moment…seems to be holy ground…such a treasured gift.
Perhaps, if we northerners more often dressed warm enough to be comfortable outside, took a few moments here and there to take in Winter’s beauty, breathed deeply of its exhilarating air, listened intently to its profound silence, and experienced the wondrous sense of standing on holy ground…we might then all agree:
“This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Blessings,
Susanne
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