On our last day in Kenmare, County Kerry, where we recently got away from all things except our family and what we wanted to do and be, I got up early. By myself.
To be clear, early rising is not my thing, especially as it doesn’t tandem well with insomnia. But after an unusually great week of rest, I was game for an early walk down a scenic 1.5 lane road. So I rose, dressed, grabbed my itouch and my mobile (what if I’m attacked by a squirrel?) and headed out the door, leaving the sleeping Slates in their beds.
It was cold, colder than it had been. I could see my breath in the air. But the sun was shining, unhindered, so I set out to go down one of the roads around the place. It isn’t exactly a heavily populated area, so I was thinking “solitude.” Stopping at the old bridge under which the Sheen River rolls to tumble gracefully over the rocks for the Sheen Falls Lodgers, and then past the lodge, it empties into another body of water, flatter, more still. Standing and looking out over the rock wall of the bridge, the air was clean and fresh, more breathable. And with a deep inhalation, it was confirmed, someone was burning wood. Wood smoke is always a serious bonus. Probably still up there at number one on list of favorite smells.
After sincerely enjoying breathing the air, for the above-mentioned reasons, I took off down an unknown road. The orange flowers that flanked many of the roadways still leaned in at waist height while the stick-straight standing up flowers that were purple and fuzzy stood tall in groups of 10 or more. Glorious in itself, without any further bonuses, right? But there’s more.
My itunes were playing something soothing and reflective, my choice for the morning. I’d just landed on a song that deserved replays (Let Go by Lindsay McCaul, the acoustic version), which I noticed something I’d never seen. Never.
Dew was on the tip of every green and leafy thing. Just on the tip, about to drop off, but holding on. In the cool morning sunlight, the dew wasn’t just dripping, it was positively glistening. I walked past thousands of dew-made diamonds, sparkling for me. And the aroma issuing from the woodland was intoxicating – every sweet flowering plant, tree or shrub, was releasing all they had into the extra-clean air, mingling with the woodsmoke. And between the sight of all the green of the woodland glistening with diamond drops and the combination of aromas from what blooms, I was darn impressed. I think God was showing off for me. This is amazing, I said in my heart. And God said, “You wanna see something else?”
At first I was startled by the sound of rushing waters on both sides of the road. But then it became one-sided and I stopped to read a sign about Salmon Fishing (which amounts to benignly catching salmon and releasing them back into the rushing water. This amounted to giving the salmon a hand-hug, which I found amusing. Yet another part of the pleasure that was indeed all for me.
I won’t soon forget it, my own personal early show.
Exactly why I love the early morning! God does put on a show for the observant participant. Morning solitude may be the best gift of all. Glad you had the experience with those dew-drop diamonds and all the rest. Sounds glorious!
I’m so glad you’re still writing, & I just caught up! I could comment on so many things, but then I’d be here another hour & MUST get busy & out for errands. The summer’s been a blur–good, but I long for more structure & routine. Hopefully, with school back in (Bible study starting back for me), life will be that way; but then of course, we’re in birthday season BIG TIME for our family with the holidays right behind. Think of ya’ll & pray often for God’s special mercies & blessings on you. Love, Terry
I think that is why I love the outdoors so much. I love to watch (especially in the fall and spring when the sun is at the right angle) the sun glistening off the leaves of the shrubs in my yard. I have never seen anything man made that can compare with what God has created. I still find wonder in the simplest plant structures. The whole photosynthesis process is still amazing to me. He is an awesome God! Just think, we live in a fallen world, imagine what heaven will be like!
As I was reading this, I thought “I hope she got pictures” and then I realized, I didn’t need the pictures. You painted them beautifully in your words. Thank you it was such a please to read this post.
thanks Earl, am glad the words paint the picture. I find that having the camera with me often prevents me from fully experiencing a place or event – it’s like bringing “work” home with me, so the whole world becomes a task. I make a conscious decision not to take the camera so that I can be free. That said, I did think “Wow, this is camera-worthy” and then the other little voice in my head said “Relax, this is to be enjoyed.” I wonder if everyone has constant internal dialogues . . . probably not!!