Walking My Way to a Grateful Heart This Easter
Spring through the lens of a camera
Arriving home from church this Easter morning, the day stretched out lazily before me. I contemplated how I would pass the holiday. It could be easy to slip into melancholy about the past and memories of long-ago family gatherings.
The thing is, I instinctively knew what would help to lighten my footsteps and lift my heart. A walk is always restorative.
Today, I focused my camera on the emergence of spring, but only on minor details. As I snapped photos, it became clear that close-up shots were just what I needed to combat feelings of solitude.
“Focus on the beauty,” I told myself.
Everything was lovely as anticipated until I reached a grove of trees where the birds sang vivaciously, capturing my full attention. Using my Merlin Bird ID app, I identified the following birds by their songs: Red-Winged Blackbirds, Northern Cardinals, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Gray Catbirds, House Sparrows, White-Throated Sparrows, Common Grackles, European Starlings, and American Crows. The delightful cacophony stopped me in my tracks. Naturally, the ducks were abundant!
Walking along the path, I felt compelled to focus closely on the budding flowers bursting before my eyes. Like a child, I was eager to learn; the closer I looked, the better it became. I couldn't wait to share some of these discoveries with you.
I was reminded today that while many may not celebrate this day the same, or at all, the Easter message was alive and vibrant during my solitary six-mile walk.
As Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President/CEO of UCC, eloquently stated,
“The Easter message that rings loud and clear for us in this moment is hope for today and always. It is possible to triumph over the grave. It is possible to triumph over the empire. It is possible to triumph over the evils of the day. It is possible to experience God present amid the pain and suffering. It is possible for life to triumph over death. And it is possible for love to win over hatred.”
I can't imagine expressing it better. Reassurance springs from the branches, trees, water, and earth this Easter. It is a good and hopeful message in this time of great uncertainty. Isn't that worth celebrating, even if only for today?
Despite anger and ambivalence, clinging to hope is a powerful act that can guide us through the darkest times.
Spring is bursting out in growth everywhere right now. We are a little colder here and our trees have not leafed out yet but they have gray colored lace all over the poplars. At least it looks like that from a distance. It’s a whole hillside covered with the male parts of the cottonwoods just before they fall and the white fluff is released. Next day the hillside will be the green of new leaves.
It always makes me stop for a moment when I see a whole hillside undergoing growth and transformation. It’s happening quietly everywhere and I don’t want to become brittle and unable to appreciate it as it happens.
Hope you enjoy regeneration too Candy, your story and photos are lovely.🐣