5/20/2009

So Much Gratitude

I am grateful for this man. We celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary this weekend and I spent much of it in awe of how Lance allows me to be exactly who I am.

We balance each other perfectly. We can spend hours in silence in the same room, doing our own thing, and I love that. One afternoon he painted at the dining room table while I sat on the couch and read about the wonders of mushrooms. Every once in a while one of us would say something, sharing a bit of our experience. Mostly it was quiet. Bliss.

I am grateful for this cottage. Lance and I stayed at Helen's House, an amazing getaway right in the middle of Point Reyes National Seashore with breathtaking views of Tomales Bay. The owner Jeff's grandparents once lived on the five acre property, and now Jeff and his wife Barbie rent out the cottage and live on the property. I have not experienced such quiet since I house-sat at age 18 for people who lived miles outside of town. The only things we could hear were the birds and occasionally the cows from the dairy farm up the road.


The first morning we stayed at Helen's House the sun woke me up at 6 a.m., an hour I don't often witness (and normally don't want to). However, I jumped out of bed and grabbed my camera. I wanted to capture sunrise over Tomales Bay. I spent an hour (or maybe two) watching the hummingbirds dance among the flowers and taking in the clean morning air. I felt at peace.

I am grateful for nature. I experienced mile after mile of gorgeous scenery this weekend. We visited the elephant seals at Chimney Rock, lounged in the shade at Heart's Desire Beach, and hiked the serene Palomarin trail. I saw wildflowers I could name like indian paintbrushes, irises, and queen anne's lace, and many more that I couldn't name. I drank it all in with big gulps.

I filled up on the beauty and peaceful energy that radiates throughout the Point Reyes National Seashore. I hope it doesn't take us another year to return this time.

I am grateful for my life. Although trips like these often inspire awe, I wish to cultivate that awe during all the moments in my life. Moments like those when my cat claws at my leg, hoping for a snack or when I'm frying eggs in the morning before work. Whether mundane or grandiose, all moments are divine; all moments can inspire awe if we view them as sacred.

3 comments:

Stephanie said...

I love taking time out to be Grateful. I try to do it once a day. Loved reading this.

Kenna Elizabeth said...

What an inspiring post! Thank you.

Andrea said...

Simply beautiful post and congrats on your anniversary.