by Kim
"Every moment is a new beginning" - Elie Wiesel
Time is not a commodity that we are given to start and stop again on a whim. For the universe and for nature, there is no pause of time, and no clean slate.
And within that time things begin and end everyday, not just at the end of a calendar year. Every moment a gift and a challenge to manage well let alone the time you've not yet been given.
I think one reason I love going to watch the sunrise so much is that it's such a reminder that time does not stand still, that it waits for no man. If you've ever photographed a sunrise then you know that there are precious minutes in which to capture the sun rising over the horizon before it gets too bright. It's so easy to take time for granted unless we've paid attention to how swiftly it moves.
You may be wondering at this point what on earth this picture has to do with this post. It's kind of a two for one deal. The magic of the night and a tall ship that was lucky enough to get a new beginning. (fist bump)
Her name is "Elissa" and she is The Tall Ship of Texas. She is a three-masted, iron-hulled ship that was built in Aberdeen, Scotland as a merchant vessel at a time when steamships were overtaking sailing ships. She was originally launched in October of 1877 and is today, a fully functioning ship that continues to sail annually during the sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. She measures a whopping 205 feet from her stern to the tip of her jibboom, is 99' 9" high at the main mast, and displaces 620 tons!
But she didn't always look like this because eventually after 90 years at sea she found her way to a scrap yard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece. She was eventually rescued from being destroyed, in 1970 by preservationists, but still sat in a salvage yard until she was purchased in 1975 by the Galveston Historical Foundation. She finally took her first voyage as a restored sailing ship in 1985 and now calls Galveston her home.
Her new beginning was nothing short of miraculous really, and most of us will never be lucky enough to have that much time to wait for a new beginning of this magnitude. We will forget that we cannot hold it in our hands and save it for tomorrow.
Yes, time is incredibly swift and silent and it moves even when we're not looking. Having a child with a chronic illness, and treated with a medication that comes with the risk of lymphoma teaches you to pay attention to the small beginnings in EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. . . and call it hope and faith.
And within that time things begin and end everyday, not just at the end of a calendar year. Every moment a gift and a challenge to manage well let alone the time you've not yet been given.
I think one reason I love going to watch the sunrise so much is that it's such a reminder that time does not stand still, that it waits for no man. If you've ever photographed a sunrise then you know that there are precious minutes in which to capture the sun rising over the horizon before it gets too bright. It's so easy to take time for granted unless we've paid attention to how swiftly it moves.
You may be wondering at this point what on earth this picture has to do with this post. It's kind of a two for one deal. The magic of the night and a tall ship that was lucky enough to get a new beginning. (fist bump)
Her name is "Elissa" and she is The Tall Ship of Texas. She is a three-masted, iron-hulled ship that was built in Aberdeen, Scotland as a merchant vessel at a time when steamships were overtaking sailing ships. She was originally launched in October of 1877 and is today, a fully functioning ship that continues to sail annually during the sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. She measures a whopping 205 feet from her stern to the tip of her jibboom, is 99' 9" high at the main mast, and displaces 620 tons!
But she didn't always look like this because eventually after 90 years at sea she found her way to a scrap yard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece. She was eventually rescued from being destroyed, in 1970 by preservationists, but still sat in a salvage yard until she was purchased in 1975 by the Galveston Historical Foundation. She finally took her first voyage as a restored sailing ship in 1985 and now calls Galveston her home.
Her new beginning was nothing short of miraculous really, and most of us will never be lucky enough to have that much time to wait for a new beginning of this magnitude. We will forget that we cannot hold it in our hands and save it for tomorrow.
Yes, time is incredibly swift and silent and it moves even when we're not looking. Having a child with a chronic illness, and treated with a medication that comes with the risk of lymphoma teaches you to pay attention to the small beginnings in EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. . . and call it hope and faith.
13 comments:
I love to see things restored. We too quickly discard old things in favor of new things nowadays. Beauty is in the history.
Ooooohh, I love to see old things restored too..Such beauty in the physical reminders of a bygone era..So true, time does not stand still..It is up to us to slow down a bit, to appreciate and enjoy those precious moments..
It is just amazing how our children teach us every . single . day! I am in a similar situation with my daughter ... a little different, but similar ... and over the years I have learned so much when I have just listened.
Gorgeous shot, Kim! So glad someone saved this piece of history!
Beautiful shot! Yes to sunrises! For me each one is a beautiful promise of a new day, a renewal, a shot of inspiration. I love your words about time. It is precious and something we should try not to waste.
I agree that watching a sunrise or sunset is a visual confirmation of how swiftly time passes. If you're not paying attention, time can move at an incredible pace. One of the things I love about visiting the barrio areas in Tucson is seeing how those old buildings have been restored rather than torn down. I wish we could have paid a visit to this beautiful tall ship when we were in Galveston. I'm sure she's a beauty!
Insightful and beautifully presented.
Great post, Kim! Im a sunset person myself, and its during those last few minutes that you realize just how quickly time goes by! Beautiful photo…have a Blessed New Year!
I love this story, Kim! My interest in historic preservation was planted and cultivated by my mother when I was a child and has been passed to my daughter and granddaughter as well. Every good building, ship, whatever deserves a second or third or fourth chance. And I do love that photo, some great nighttime photography.
TO many things in this life are replaceable and disposable....i hate that. Beautiful story told the way only you can tell it Kim. XO
what a great story of preservation kim. and such a good reminder to stay ever present with the moments we are given. happy new year!
Love the preservation of old and worthy objects. We Americans are too quick to tear down instead of restore. Great story and beautiful image, Kim.
My husband and I had the pleasure of being on board last summer. I took lots of photos I haven't had time to post yet, lol! Enjoyed this... Kim, thanks.
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