Eyes of Wonder ~ August 20, 2007

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.

Albert Einstein

Summer thunderstorms wringing the air clean from the latest heatwave afforded a lightshow that would rival any fireworks display. One very peculiar thing has happened over the course of the last few weeks. While I've never been deathly afraid of bees, I've avoided them like the plague and I've always swatted and shooed them away when they came too close. Sometimes, those pesky yellow jacket wasps gather around and really become a nuisance, especially when food or drink is involved. But lately, I've taken to just 'talking' to them, asking them to fly over there, or don't sting my babies. And then it happened...

I had one land on me. I didn't panic or swat it away. It just walked on my arm. And then another, and another, and another. Before I knew it, I had bees stopping by, landing, and then taking off. Then the yellowjackets did it. No stings. It renders in one's mind a movie title along the lines of the 'The Bee Whisperer' or something. I'm not sure what has changed to allow me to trust they won't sting me, and to allow them to land on me with no ill intent and to trust that I won't smash them on the spot. Whatever it is, it is miraculous.

Some other wonders I've been served this past week...

~ littles that are quickly learning to swim

~ baby grapes that taste like pure sugar

~ the sound of God's voice heard in the thunderstorms

~ smell of sandalwood oil

~ scrunchy nose smiles

~ the cool feel of cotton on hot skin

~ sounds of 2 1/2 year old saying in her best high-pitched, English accent, "Oh, Mummy!"

~ dips of honeysuckle to sweeten a parched hiker

~ percussion of raindrops on the awning

~ bees and hummingbirds dancing around the flowers

~ the smell of old books as I start to list them for sale
~ another beautifully sketched addition to Anne's refrigerator art gallery

~ deep smiles from my love, Michael, during his birthday meal

Care to list some of the wonders you've noticed? Some have written me and asked if they can use the graphic above. ABSOLUTELY! I'd be honored if you'd take some time each day to look at life through eyes of wonder...

Simply right click on the picture, save it to your computer, and load it to your photo hosting/server for use on your blog or website. No link required... just take some time to enjoy the feast set before you...

...but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15

Joyfully His,

Carla Lynne