April 2003 Issue - Essay # 10
Blessings
in the Morning
By Nancy Julien
Kopp
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Summer mornings find me
rolling out of bed before seven. I slip into shorts and t-shirt and head
outside for my walk. I want to beat the hot Kansas sun before it stakes
a claim on the day. I can't say I begin the walk with glee, but, once I
am on my way, my mood changes. I started walking years ago
after I had surgery for a herniated disc in my lower back. Doctor's
orders forced me into it. It did help my physical condition, but I found
exercise a chore, not a pleasure. As time went by, I walked more
infrequently, finding it a necessary evil, not the delight some people
claimed. Then, I found a couple
friends who wanted to walk three mornings a week, so we walked and
chatted, but it was still work as far as I was concerned, and I gave it
up. A second back surgery five years ago forced me back into the daily
walking routine. Many days it was difficult to fit into a schedule
filled with activities, but I worked at it, knowing it was to my benefit,
even though there were times I felt quite sorry for myself. Believe me,
I was the only one to show up at that Pity Party. Shortly after this last
surgery, my husband retired, and we moved back to Kansas, having been
away for six years. We bought a house in the same area we had spent
seventeen years raising our family. I knew that I now had a perfect spot
to walk. The Hudson Trail, completed while I was gone, is only a short
distance from our house. For the past five years it has become an integral
part of my life. Come along with me on the
trail as it snakes its way between the backyards of a myriad of homes.
Share with me the beauty and joy of my early morning. I walk uphill
about three blocks to reach the path. I am sometimes not fully awake
until I reach that point. I step off the concrete sidewalk, cross a wide
expanse of street, and move onto the softer path. Suddenly, I am in a
different world, surrounded by nature at its best. My pace accelerates,
and I find my spirits lifting with each progressive step. A variety of trees and bushes
form backgrounds for peoples' yards and a border for the path. Many of
the yards have lovely flowerbeds and gardens but along the path,
sprinkled here and there, are wildflowers standing tall in the morning
sunlight. Pink coneflowers, a few daisies, Black-Eyed Susans and an
unknown dainty purple flower greet me each morning as I pass by. I see glimpses of patios and
decks as I stride by the yards. Outdoor furniture and toys of the
inhabitants, their children and pets, lie scattered around enhancing the
area surrounding the homes. Seldom do I encounter the people
themselves--too early for most. My companions, instead, are
the many birds that inhabit the area. Meadowlarks, dove, cardinals and
finches trill their early morning songs for my benefit. A symphony of
sounds, made by these downy creatures, is punctuated now and then by the
many insects that live here, too. Occasionally, the bully crows caw
loudly as though they are trying to outdo the real songbirds. My eyes take in the many
things around me, my ears detect the pleasing sounds, and my mind begins
to work. I think about the day ahead, a story I might want to write, or
something happening within my family. But inevitably, at some point
along the way, my heart lifts in thankfulness and praise to God, and I
spend some time in a prayer of thanks-giving. I bring my problems to Him
along the path, as well, but more often I find myself counting my
blessings. As I move farther down the
path, the soft summer breeze fans me. I reach a favorite spot where
there are no more homeowners' yards. Instead, I pass through a wooded
section bordered by a log rail fence. Ferns border the walkway on both
sides of the path, wildflowers scattered throughout. The tall, stately
trees seem to stand guard, and the birds are quieter here. Occasionally,
a rabbit peeks out, wiggles his nose at me and hops away into the
thicket. This is a spot where I always feel a sense of peace and
calm--true serenity. A little farther, I reach an
open space that spreads across the Flint Hills, where a vast blue sky
meets the tall-grass prairie. My heart swells at the sight each time it
appears, and I add another blessing to my already lengthy list. It is time to turn now,
retrace my steps, and soak up some more of my early morning pleasure,
for that is what my walks have become: something pleasing and
uplifting. On rainy, stormy days, when I
cannot walk, I feel a vibrant piece of my day is missing. Oh, I can
count my blessings at the kitchen sink on those days, but, somehow, it
is not quite the same.
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Author's Biography
Writing lets me reach out to others, share my thoughts, and
brings me great joy. I have had stories for children, adult fiction,
nonfiction articles and poetry published in magazines and on the web. I
am working on a juvenile historical fiction novel. E-mail
Nancy at kopp@networksplus.net |
Essay
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