Tuesday, December 23, 2008

UNEXPECTED GIFT






















Yesterday morning I discovered a handwritten letter to me from R in the sketchbook his sister had sent last summer. R had used the sketchbook to communicate after he had the brain stem stroke in September 2007 which left him unable to speak. When the sketchbook arrived, I had looked carefully at all the pages, many of which were blank. Somehow I overlooked one page. In January of 2008, I had received two letters from him -- both handwritten by a nurse who had edited and embellished his thoughts with her thoughts. As I had read those letters, I could hear her voice more than his. In the letter I found yesterday, I can hear his voice clearly once again. A generous and moving gift from R.

After I found his letter, most of yesterday was spent with renewed energy for working on my book of drawings and paintings and poetry influenced by his presence in my life. Just before sunset at 4:17, I glanced up to see extraordinary golden light on the cottonwoods to the northeast and on the foothills beyond. If you click on the image, you'll see the bald eagles' nest, too. I remembered R's mother telling me that R's first word when he was a baby was "Light."

8 comments:

Dale said...

I've always thought the bible verse should read: "from light you came and to light you shall return."

Anonymous said...

I love that first wash of light across the tree tops at dawn. Lovely scene and story, am. I'm glad to hear that you're feeling inspired to continue work on your book.

Dawn said...

excellent Am! perfect photo with a perfect story.

Grizz………… said...

Lovey photo…lovely story. Thank you for sharing.

Loren said...

Beautiful photo, am.

I'm still waiting for the clouds to finally part here at the south end of Puget Sound.

Until then, I'll have to be satisfied with eating homemade candy and cookies.

robin andrea said...

What an amazing gift to find that letter. Your heart must have soared. The photo is truly spectacular. The quality of light is stunning.

am said...

Thanks so much to all who stopped by yesterday and today. I'm having a hard time finding words this morning. I appreciate your presence.

Lori Witzel said...

What a lovely crown of light.

Slant gold, ephemeral, and yet...

I'm so glad you found an unexpected gift. Merry happy joyful wishes to you!