This very moment, the pitter patter of impossibly heavy winter drops of rain from grey skies tickle my ears. Walnut and oak trees in the yard, decorated in pristine crystal icicles, rise from diamond sparkling snow. The spectacle thrills my senses, squeezes my heart, beckons my soul. Right where I am, within an elegant glassy palace, I am wondrously planted among wisdom keepers. Keepers with branches so lovely, tears slip from my eyes. Nature is singing a love song composed just for me. And I’m mature enough to understand meteorology patterns, yet naive enough to behold beauty as magic which may be absorbed and recycled. So I speak words here. To capture fleeting, shimmering, ethereal moments of Peace From Winter Trees, where ordinary branches once stretched bare in the woods…before a precipitous miracle blessed them.
My body is weary yet I stepped into winter boots and braved the cold rain to snap these images quickly. I haven’t the time nor energy to edit or enhance them.
Here is what the trees ask me now.
How will you begin in truer ways to allow reality to be reality? How will you let go of the resistance which would keep you from seeing as you ought to see?
Right where I am, from where I sit healing from a challenging week of illness, I see the magic of water droplets.
Droplets formed in a great billowy atmosphere above me, intimately engaged in a love affair with what lies below.
I see hydrogen and and oxygen molecules express themselves in rain, snow, ice, sleet, slush, vapor, and a million more ways right where I am.
Oh, what blessing to be made of this stuff too. To be not merely on the earth, but to be it.
Icicles on these branches are still and attached, yet do not cling. For their kind are meant to travel. Their state and form to evolve purposefully.
These decorations on trees and shrubs will soon hydrate roots and dormant life below. They’ll transform, depart, and sink southward. Yet they will not cease to bring forth beauty and fruit.
Right where I am, I see a season of peace so vividly sweet that I can scarcely hold all its beauty.
Peace whispered from winter trees echo there is nothing to fear.
Are they trustworthy, these trees?
How will I develop the capacity to allow my present reality to teach and lead me to higher ground?
Perhaps one baby step at a time, on the slippery ice of faith, toward the Mystery.
Even baby steps can be slow and difficult with imperfect aging knees and the ice so slick. With amnesia for how to gently lift the heel and step forward in faith.
We need reminders the Mystery is safe and trustworthy.
We need reminders the ice will hold.
We need reminders we are made of the same glorious hydrogen, oxygen, and earthy goodness as the ice!
We need nature’s assurance that the very beauty we seek is truly seeking, sustaining, and holding us, right where we are.
Will we stay astonished? Stay awakened and aligned with the Divine? Will we empty more of ourselves to fill with wonder?
Will we stay humble enough to witness miracles blessing winter trees in the garden?
Will we hear the note of nature’s sweetness vibrating on the air?
Oh, how I wish these things for us!
That we might greet the lovely we meet with our YES and a wholehearted HELLO.
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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All three of these ladies have my heart. And your post is a lovely tribute to each. It will no doubt fill their hearts with comfort, love, and grace. Each is suffering their own painful path. Each will no doubt walk that path with strength and grace. Absolutely lovely post. Thank you!
Author
Thank you for your eloquence, friend, and for honoring their journeys with your blessings.
Comforting. I will remember those three ladies in my prayers today. The pictures! Wintertime is for introspection. At least for me. It’s far too cold to walk outside. I remain inside and spend time gazing out at the frozen trees. The hillsides are beauty to behold. Thank you for today’s wistful, gentle words.
God bless you.
T
Author
Thank you so much for the blessing – what a gift it is to hear from souls across the earth who come bearing kindness and beauty! Peace to you, friend. xox
For someone, as I, so prone to anxiety, your words are truly a balm for the soul. A gentle reminder to step out on the ice. Do not be afraid! Thank you!
Author
You’re so kind. You’re not alone in your anxiety…I get anxious too and need reminders the ice will hold. Let’s keep BEING the reminder we all need. xox
Your beautiful post was so inspirational. It truly spoke to my heart.
Thank you.
Author
Thank you so much for reading and your kindness – I am thankful that the trees share what they know. xox
These photos are sublime! Beautiful inside and out! Sending you a big hug, pretty lady.
xoxo
L
Author
One can only imagine the secrets whispered by trees, myrtles, and winter gardens to you, my friend. Thank you for so much inspiring nature you bring into the world and share so graciously. You’re lovely. xox
Hi Michclle, if you have time you might find something inspirational in the documentary on Netflix called Heal.
Saying a prayer for you today.
Author
Thanks, Sharon. I’ll check it out. 🙂
Simply beautiful words, simply stunning photos. You never cease to amaze me with your brilliance. Sorry to hear you were not well, hope you are feeling better.
Author
I’m flattered, Celia! I am feeling better, and what a horrible week of illness from a single dinner out with friends! This is the first attack since my gallbladder came out 4 months ago. Obvi I need to take it easy and keep a low fat/high fiber diet going indefinitely. Inside, in addition to being a spiritual thinker, I’m a chubby girl with a huge appetite who loves to eat and cook! My body is saying ‘whoa, chubby, eat like a toddler instead.’ 🙂
What a lovely post in every way…most of all the Turth spoken here. So many lessons to be learned through God’s mysterious & beautiful creation…especially trees…as they lift their “arms” heavenward to Him in praise and dependency…may we do the same. Lifting up your three dear friends to Him who is ABLE! Thanks for all you share from your lovely heart!
Author
Oh what a blessing to read your words of honey and beauty and see ABLE vivid and clear – YES. We’re caught up in this mystery together so we might as well hold hands. 🙂
Author
and obviously I have graduated from mystic to hippie! hahahaha!
Hahaha! Yes, hold hands AND wear our reading glasses before we press “send”🤣….*Truth (not Turth) Lifting you up along with your friends!
Beautifully spoken, Michele. You have a lovely gift. I feel your words wrap around me. These posts stay with me long after I leave and go about my day. It causes deep reflections.
I hope you find the peace of mind you and your friends are struggling with, each in their own way, because it really is a solitary journey. My heart goes out to those who are heartbroken, the worse kind of despair.
Blessings
~ Joanna
Author
What a gift your kind words are, Joanna. Your heart is so tender and pure. Thank you for honoring me and these friends who are grieving. I hope anyone who is aching will feel joined in some mysterious way by the peace extended here.
Michele you are such an inspiration here in your little corner of the blog world. Thank you for being such a giver—-and for sharing your insight and wisdom alongside your beautiful images in this post. There’s so much here that resonates with my own journey that I know we must share a special kinship. Thank you for this.
Sending love and healing for your bodily aches.
Author
Thank you for your vulnerability and courage, Leslie. I want to be accessible and bring blessing to your journey in any way I can. You inspire me so much, my friend. xox
how beautiful and inspiring
can you tell me where to find that canvas tote France on it ? xo
thank you !
Author
Bought it at Restoration Hardware 10 yrs ago. 🙂
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes the rose.
Through all our trials and tribulations there is beauty if we look for it, and sometimes we have to look oh so deeply. You always seem to find beauty dear Michelle. Thank you for your open and complete honesty. Love and healing prayers sent for you.
Author
I’m so grateful. Thank you for the prayers and beautiful thoughts.
We woke up this morning to snow covered trees, and with no wind, they stay that way for a long time. It really is a peaceful image.
Author
So glad you are taking the time to soak up the stillness and peace of it all. xox
Michele,
You always inspire me with your lovely insight and beautiful images. So often we do not take the time to actually see more than just ice on the trees. God is so wonderful in blessing us with just majestic beauty. Sorry to hear that you have been ill, hope you feel better. Maybe you were given that time to see what lies beyond. I hope you will stop by Thursday Favorite Things since you are being featured.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
I have had quite a bit of illness throughout my life, and I do see how these seasons are used to prosper me. Thanks so much for the feature! 🙂
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me on thursday morning to see your feature! All hosts choose their own features from the comments left on their blog so be sure to return to my blog to see your feature. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Author
Thanks so much for your support, Marilyn…I’m flattered and so grateful. 🙂