What a wonderful world… see the beauty! While life can be so bittersweet, it is also a world full of wonder and beauty. We are constantly reminded of the bitter and the sweet… as one of my best friends of 20 years attended a funeral for her grandma Helen, my cousin welcomed into the world her beautiful baby girl, the newest addition to our family, Emma Skye. What a crazy thing this life cycle can seem! I think both of these events are truly celebrations of life, but it is so hard to say goodbye, even if/when we believe it is really only, “see you later” in the heavenly mystery that awaits us all.
I am blessed to have many friends, both local and afar, new and old, in person and online, that help remind me what a wonderful world it is with their inspiration, encouragement, laughter, and love. The first time I heard this version of the song What a Wonderful World, which I adore, was in my friend Millie’s shop, Posh on Main in Blue Ridge, GA. She also frequently posts inspirational food for thought and pictures of nature’s beauty on her facebook page so this is a belated birthday tribute to her sweet soul and the way she purposely makes the effort to “see the beauty”.
And that is exactly how I will be finishing up the Art 101 challenge I started 90 days ago…. seeing the beauty! I am going on an adventure with my family and while taking a few minimal art and journaling supplies along, it will be my camera that will be my most used art supply for these next few weeks…. trying to capture some of the beauty I see! (I will be sure to share some of the pictures once I get a chance to download/upload since I still have an old dumb phone with no internet connection.)Photography is the one art form that has been a constant through my life, from the very first pink 110 camera I had as a little girl to the first DSLR I finally have now! When I had lost touch with every other artistic aspect/expression due to many reasons, I always had photography with me. I am so grateful for that, especially as I have some very special memories captured that way with my kids and my mom. It feels like a little miracle to be able to see my beautiful momma in old pictures. Of course, I would rather have her right here with me to laugh with and hug and talk to more than almost anything! This August 31st would have been my parents 46th wedding anniversary and their’s is a beautiful love story. Yet, I know that my mom would want us to remember what a wonderful world this is and keep looking to see the beauty! <3
Enjoy your trip! Hope you get to take beautiful pictures and we’ll see you back on the art challenge group some time soon.