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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Winter Gift
by Laurette Comeau It's been a different kind of day at the Inn, filled with an unexpected blessing. Tom, the early riser in this partnership, woke me gently so we could watch the sunrise together. He stood there, camera in hand, and with a knowing smile, nodded in the direction of the window. Still somewhat in a slumber state of mind, my eyes and feet followed his gaze. We looked silently It snowed an unexpected ten inches last night! During the night, the new fallen snow blanketed the pasture and the lake. The gently swaying evergreens seemed as though they were powdered-sugarcoated. Across the harbor, the darker view of the evergreens had been muted, and the long narrow island presented a soft green "stripe" against lake white. I voiced aloud, "This is the soft muted, and somewhat surreal stuff that only talented artists can replicate. I'd love to see it on a mural wall." At that point, Tom was called to the phone and left. I remained at the window and watched as the wind danced the snow from tree branches in small wispy swirls, falling in ever-so-slow-a-motion toward ground and invisibility. The snow on the lake and the rising evaporation seemed to become one as morning advanced and the mist lifted upward, softening the hue of the evergreens on the island's edge. It was a powdery mist, lifting ever sooooo slowly, mesmerizing and hypnotizing in effect. I don't know that I can explain what happened at that point. I felt a little light-headed. I felt "drunk" with the beauty before me. I felt a sense of dancing with it, embracing what seemed unreal in intensity, technicolor in its simplistic green/white pallet, and overwhelmingly "loud" in its whisper of beauty. It seemed that a very long time had passed, and yet it seemed that no time had passed at all! To say that I simply savored this morning's scene would be to say too little. To say that I felt a part of that beauty would be an understatement as well. Some might call it an epiphany or a revelation, I suppose, but I'm not sure that "naming" the experience will serve purpose. I wonder if such stark beauty fills us so very much, that there is no room for adequate expression. I know, without a doubt, that I received a gift, and I feel richer and more peaceful for it. I know, too, that I am blessed to live in this incredibly beautiful place on the hill with a spectacular view of the lake, the horse pastures, the woods, and the boundless and never-ending big sky. Here, I consistently greet new people and share the wonder of it all. Especially today, I am aware and I am grateful. Laurette Comeau is owner and operator of A Rise and Shine Bed and Breakfast in Monmouth. | ||
