This most amazing day
A most amazingly typical day in September 1999, Banff, Alberta, Canada
“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.” — E. E. Cummings
It’s a bit hard for me to imagine what it would be like living in a town such as Banff. One of the bloggers who visits regularly with us here lives very near Banff, and I wonder whether she ever gets used to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. How does one manage to get any work done when it’s so beautiful outdoors? I remember feeling the same way the first time I stood atop the Malibu hill where Pepperdine University overlooks the Pacific Ocean. How on earth does anyone manage to graduate from a school where distracting magnificence lies outside every doorway?
I know how, of course. When we lived in Hawaii, some people on the mainland seemed to think we were on a 3-year extended vacation, with nothing to do but go to the beach every day. In reality we had to go to school, go to work, cook dinner and wash clothes, and do all the other chores of life, with relatively little time leftover to play.
Still, we tried to make as much time as possible to explore the islands and their varied landscapes that went far beyond gorgeous beaches. Whenever I would see one of the incredible rainbows that occur so frequently there, or string a lei from the fragrant plumeria that grew in abundance all around our home, I would remind myself to stop and savor the moments that would all too soon be unavailable on a daily basis.
Living in many different regions has taught me that no place is without beautiful features or interesting sights. But it’s easy to grow so accustomed to the familiar that we lose the wonder of it. Today, I hope you will take Cummings’ words with you and keep eyes open to “everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.”
The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
- Posted in: Uncategorized
- Tagged: appreciation, awe, Banff, beauty, Canadian Rockies, day, gratitude, inspiration, mindfulness, morning, mountains, nature, trees
Defeat Despair 
Good morning, Julia,
We have a few nice days here in Minnesota every year, too. I hear that they typically occur mid-week, while I’m working …. 😘
Isn’t that always the way? One more reason to look forward to retirement. Are you hunkering down in New England, or Minnesota? I’m guessing you can’t fly back and forth as freely as before Covid?
I am in Minnesota, and not flying at all last this time. I’m grateful for all of your spring photos and encouragement, as spring comes even later here than it does in New England. I’m still looking forward to seeing some blossoms somewhere around my yard, even though I saw them last month in Massachusetts. Your encouragement reminds me that yes, they will come. ☺️
Susan, for you I imagine the lockdown has challenges all its own, as you are so accustomed to dividing your time between mid-America and the east coast. I hope you can use this time to enjoy your Minnesota home and maybe get a few projects done. Spring will arrive soon!
Rainbows, cloud formations, blooming flowers, wild animals along the backroads, walking in the rain, seeing the ocean-then walking in the surf are all great reminders of God’s Love for His people! I hope to never become jaded to His Creation! Beautiful post.
Thank you Mary Ann! Matt and I spent several hours outdoors today, walking or enjoying the patio (he was sitting and streaming yet another church service, which he requested to see even after the two we “attended” this morning), and I was gardening a bit and taking photos of the gorgeous Kwanzan Cherry blooms on the tree I had planted last year. Nature’s ability to renew itself through all sorts of setbacks, man-made or otherwise, is a soothing reminder that much remains for which to be grateful.