Though outwardly a gloomy shroud,
The inner half of every cloud
Is bright and shining:
I therefore turn my clouds about
And always wear them inside out
To show the lining.
~Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler

It is true that our most difficult times often lead to moments of great joy. Clouds do have silver linings. So it might make sense to actually deal with adversity in a relaxed and relatively upbeat manner. I’m not saying it’s easy to do this. But, if you’ve been around long enough to see it happen a few times, it ought to be possible.

Following this line of thought it may mean that we can see the struggles of humanity in a different light. While certainly being empathetic to the suffering that is going on we are actually involved spectators in a process that is taking this planet and its inhabitants to a higher level. What is that higher level you might ask? Well, I don’t know. But if we stick around we may find out!

This past Sunday was Mother's Day and here we have a photo of a mother and grandmother, Betsy, and her grandson, Kellan. Kellan is almost one year old now and he’s a fun little guy to have around.

Betsy is the most wonderful grandmother and Kellan is lucky to have her in his life. She reminds me of this quote.

The only mothers it is safe to forget on Mother’s Day are the good ones. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic’s Notebook, 1960

She likes the fact that this old tree hides most of her although she is a lovely woman. She probably won’t like it that I have written about her.  So I should stop now.

The birds are singing outside.  It’s almost six a.m.  It’s supposed to be sunny and in the sixties today.  The humidity is supposed to drop from 97 to 50 percent in the next few hours.  I have read that most people are most comfortable when the humidity is between 50 and 70 percent.  So it looks to be a great day.

It certainly has been a peaceful beginning.   I wish there was more to say but nothing comes to mind.  Maybe it is just a moment to say a simple prayer for mothers everywhere.  And their children.  In places like Syria especially it would be such an improvement to put the mothers in charge and let them  go to work.

Behind the scenes.  But, still, in charge. 

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars… and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers – for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are. ~Osho

Ah, yes. The flowers are happy. The trees are happy. The waterfalls laugh uncontrollably all day long. The waves joke around and the grass giggles with delight.

And how is it that we are separate from all of this?  Well, I don’t know about you but there is a little voice inside my head. . . I am tired of listening to myself think. I roll out of bed at five or six am and immediately it starts.

But lately I’ve been going out and walking earlier in the morning. And this is a time to be with nature, listen to music and quiet that voice.

“How long have we been together?”

“Oh, a very long time.”

“Yes, but I can remember being just a small child, before you arrived and having a wonderful time. I can remember being sick, near death and actually experiencing something so peaceful. I can remember meditating for hours as a young man and feeling a transcendent peace. I can remember life without you. Please go away.”

It’s time to go for a walk again.

A couple of weeks ago Betsy and I were up in DC and took a long walk. Historic monuments were all around us. We left the hotel and large buildings with reflective skins. The first thing of note we saw was a passageway with a large, granite sphere appearing to be suspended in it. Then we reached the monument of Marines raising the flag. This lies next to Arlington National Cemetery were we spent a long time. Then we crossed the bridge to The Lincoln Memorial and had lunch before going to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Following this we viewed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial before walking around the Tidal Basin to The Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

On a beautiful day, low humidity, cool, and lots of sun, there is much to enjoy here. We should take time to think about our history as we move forward and remember those who sacrificed so much for our country.

Here are some photos and music.

Play Songs Of Inspiration Mormon Tabernacle Choir You’ll Never Walk Alone