Nature, Sunrise, and Tea
This morning my wife and I woke up at about 5:30 AM. Early dawn was beginning to lighten the sky. My wife asked if I wanted to watch the sunrise. I said yes, jumped out of bed, turned on the tea kettle, and threw on some clothes. Within 10 minutes we were dressed with thermoses ready and on our way.
We live on the most southerly of the Gulf Islands on the west coast of Canada. After a five-minute drive, we were at a park that includes a point of land at the southwest corner of the island. In no time at all we were sitting on a driftwood log, tea in hand, looking over the San Juan Islands towards Mount Baker and watching the brightening pink, orange, and mauve colours of the eastern sky.
The ebbing tides off that point are very strong. While we waited, a couple of fat seals heaved themselves up on the point ahead of us. After looking us over, they figured we were safe and proceeded to have a nap, waiting for the tide to slacken.
We chatted about the seals and how fat they were, about the orcas that would come by and hunt them occasionally, and about the cool breeze rustling through the trees.
After about ten minutes the sun began to peak over the Cascade Range. It was time to sit in silence and enjoy the moment.
As we sat drinking our tea, the endless catastrophes and drama of the world headline news seemed so unreal and far away. We were sharing a slice of paradise with the water, the seals, and the trees. For that moment, nothing else mattered.
Whatever happens during the rest of my day, if I can keep the memory of this peaceful moment at the forefront of my mind, all will be right in my life.
Here are a couple of writers whose work inspired me to write this piece to share my love of nature:
Thank you for sharing this moment with me.
I wish you well!
