Sanctuary

This morning looking out my windows I saw beauty. Walking in my yard, I saw beauty. Sitting in my office with open window, I smelled the sweet scent of apple blossoms. The beauty of it all reminded me of what I was looking for when we were looking to buy this house. While we were house hunting I wrote one word on a piece of paper and placed it under a large clear quartz crystal. My word was

I had almost given up finding my sanctuary after months and months of looking and not finding the home of my dreams. In fact, it was only after I let go of all expectations that we found this house.

When I first walked in this house I knew I had found sanctuary. It felt like home to me the minute I arrived. Our long-suffering realtor was amazed and astonished when we made an offer on the house that same evening. We had been looking and looking for over a year at houses, often going back to look a second time but no house felt quite right. Then we made an offer on a town home but rescinded the offer when we found problems during the home inspection.

Listening to Your Heart

I knew I wanted trees and nature wherever we lived. But I had no idea how essential it is for me. I believe that living in and being connected to nature is important for all humans. Perhaps you feel differently. But for me it is essential.

If you’re John Muir you want trees to
live among. If you’re Emily, a garden
will do.
Try to find the right place for yourself.
If you can’t find it, at least dream of it.

When one is alone and lonely, the body
gladly lingers in the wind or the rain,
or splashes into the cold river, or
pushes through the ice-crusted snow.

Anything that touches.

God, or the gods, are invisible, quite
understandable. But holiness is visible,
entirely.
― Mary Oliver, Felicity

As years roll by living in this house, I realize again and again what a blessing this place is. I was serenaded with birdsong through my open office window this morning while I edited photos. The reflections of green leaves in the pond created abstract paintings outside our living room windows.

When I needed a stretch break, I picked up my camera, with Canon 100 – 400 mm lens attached and walked to our front yard to make photos of the neighbor’s crab apple tree. Then I walked across the street to make some photos of a white blossomed apple tree beside the path to the park.

To be surrounded by nature on every side while living in an urban area — how blessed and privileged I am!

What is your idea of sanctuary?

May you walk in beauty.