Moments Of Awe

by Cathy

Each day most of us go through a myriad of emotions. We might feel cheerful, sad, proud, embarrassed, shocked, confused, hesitant, amused, or excited. There’s a long list of emotions we may be feeling, but there is one that doesn’t come upon us often. That is the feeling of awe . . . the overwhelming feeling of reverence or admiration. The feeling when we experience something so marvelous we gasp, the hairs on our arms stand on end, and we get goose bumps.

Awe is the only word I know to describe how I felt while watching a large group of trumpeter swans that winter on a small lake here in Arkansas. They are gorgeous creatures and so fascinating that I made two trips to see them. On my second trip, I spent less time behind my camera and more time observing and listening.

There were young ones that played nearby waiting until someone threw a handful of corn. Of course, like children there was some pushing and shoving. I even saw a little tail biting!

There were adults that did a little showing off. They held their wings over their back in a puffed up position to advertise their strength and their neck in a strong S-curve in an aggressive posture.

Despite their large size, they would tip their bodies head down to dabble for vegetation below the water's surface.

I decided it was about time to tear myself away from the lake and head home when I heard the most unusual noise. A farmer on his tractor was crossing the field near the swans on the far side of the lake. As he came closer to them they took flight. All those swans taking flight caused the ones on the lake to take flight also. What I saw and heard was indescribable. The cows were mooing, the swans honking and splashing the water with their big feet as they lifted into the air, and there was a cry of surprise from those of us watching.

As they took flight, they stretched their necks out straight and extended their legs and feet behind their tails. They circled and circled above the lake all the while honking and honking. It was an electrifying moment. I witnessed something huge and marvelous. There was an overwhelming feeling of awe.  It literally left me shaking with joy.

Although I witnessed an incredible event, moments of awe aren't always caused by something huge and marvelous.  Awe can be felt when we see something as simple as sparkling frost on the ground or the gorgeous color of a flower. Awe can be life changing. When we feel awe, we are able to perceive the grand scale and wonder of the world. We face the fact that we are a small part of something much larger.

This world that we are given to enjoy is a gift.

I encourage you to go out and let it bring you moments of awe.

Happy 90th, Mom!

by Terri

Today is my mother’s 90^th birthday and, believe me, I know how blessed I am to still have her in my life. She was only 19 when I was born and we have always been very close. Even as a teenager, I could talk to her about anything. When I was raising my kids, she was an endless source of information and support and was (and still is) an amazing grandma. 

There are so many special memories in my heart that I will never forget, but for this post I want to focus on the trips we took together over the years. The first one was in 1991.  It was shortly before my 45^th birthday and I wanted more than anything to go on a cruise.  My husband isn’t fond of boats, so I asked my youngest sister if she would like to go with me. My other sister and mom said, “Well, if you’re going, then we’re going!” and that was the first of many trips together. 

We went to the Western Caribbean and this shot taken climbing the falls in Jamaica shows what a great time we were having!  Being away from our everyday lives and spending all that time together was the best!

In 1996, we decided to go to Hawaii.  One of my sisters had been there many times and knew all the sights we should see. We spent five days on Maui and five more on the Big Island and had the time of our lives. So many stories I could tell you about that trip!

In 1999, my mother and I took a trip together to the Pacific Northwest. We flew into Seattle and then took the ferry to Victoria. Here we are having tea at the Empress Hotel.

We spent 12 days together, driving down the coast of Oregon and the time with just the two of us was wonderful. We still sit and look through the photo album from this trip and wish we could go back and do it all over again.

In 2005, we lost my sister Rae to breast cancer and so the memories of these times spent together are all the more precious. In 2006, we took our first “girls’ trip” without her to San Francisco. This photo was taken in Golden Gate State Park and I have it framed in my family room. It brings a smile whenever I see it.

In 2010, my mom moved into a house that my sister and her husband had built for her on their property and since then she has lived next door to them. I am grateful to my sister every day for the loving care she provides to our mother. I try to get up to visit as often as I can. This is a photo taken on one of my weekend visits in 2012. It’s always a treat to spend time up in the mountains with them and sometimes I even get to see snow!

When the day comes that I have to learn to live on this earth without my mother, these are the things I will cling to – the memories of all the wonderful times we had together. She is healthy and happy now and I hope she will remain that way for many more years to come. But I am so thankful to have made all these special memories with her. They will be a comfort to me someday, I know.