re-awakening

The faintest of freckles have returned across the bridge of my nose.  They were coaxed out by the late morning sun reflected off snow along the trail over the weekend.  The sun and its warmth are oh-so welcome after what seems like the longest and grayest of winters.  We weren't the only ones making our way across the snow this sunny morning...

In looking at these little impressions, I wish had a copy of Track Finder (or better yet, the entire series of those nature study guides).  I've reached a point where I want to broaden my knowledge of the things I see out in the natural world.  More information and with it, more understanding.  The fact that the bird is red or the tree is some sort of pine is no longer enough.  I'm fairly certain this desire is fueled by the incessant "why?" of the toddler that punctuates everything that is said around our home these days.   

Also, it seems that as spoken language has been added to the way my daughter and I communicate, I'm seeing how she experiences the world in a different way.  It's a re-awakening of sorts, seeing my surroundings through my child's eyes.  One that reminds me of what Rachel Carson so eloquently describes in The Sense of Wonder:  A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.
Here's to wiping clean those lenses smeared and smudged in the becoming of an adult; to re-discovering that clear-eyed vision.  To seeing with clarity all that is around us. 

We're off to the Carolinas for the rest of the week to find more freckles, and surely much, much more.  But before I go, remember the little book?  Well, it was part of a collaborative with Alicia, Emily and Erin to celebrate the thirtieth birthday of Grace.  Today's her day.  You can see more of the project (and wish Grace a happy birthday) here.

See you next week, my friends.

Comments

[Berlinswhimsy]

I love this post---so much of where I am at right now. I would love to learn more about nature expand my knowledge of the outdoors a little. Also, I love those trackfinder books!

[emily]

safe travels! wondrous enjoyment of the sunshine and more. you'll be missed around here!

[Tracy]

Have a great trip!

[Alicia A.]

Have fun and be safe!

[hadley]

Man, is there anything Rachel Carson couldn't do? Safest and most enjoyable of journeys to you!

[Grace]

Such a good post. I'm in the same place as you on this, I think.

Thank you again for the beautiful work you did on the book. It is amazing. What a treat on that day!

Have fun on your trip! xoxox

[Wild Rose]

What a beautiful post Sarah. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy that sunshine. We have snow again today!

Marie x

[helle Jorgensen]

Such a lovely post...... and I adore your banner- image.

[Michelle]

Just stopped by today from a link on Grace's page. Wanted to say hi.

[Shael]

I feeling the same way with my daughter who is now 25 months and talking up a storm... how old is yours? I'm new here. Loving the ice and textures of your photos.

[Molly]

Have a lovely trip...

In my M.Ed classes at the U, we talked a lot about a child's sense of wonder and how that gets lost somewhere in the teenage years and how, as instructors, we can encourage that kind of enthusiasm for the wide world again.

And: what a lovely gift for your blogging friend! :)

[Angela]

Thanks so much for posting this.

I've tagged you as a "You make my day" blog--- you can check back at my blog for details if you like :)

Angela